Word of caution

[localife]

We had a close call today... My special needs duckling, Swimmy, is separated from the others in the outdoor pen by one of those folding wire pens, like people use for dogs. Today when I went out to the car to pick my son up at school, I heard the ducklings quacking instead of peeping, so I ran down to see what was going on. One of the ducklings had stuck his head into Swimmy's enclosure to try to nab some greens she had not eaten, and while he was able to get his head IN, he was not able to get it back out again! Had I not happened to be outside right at that time and heard them, I have no doubt he would have died trying to free himself.

So, a reminder to me (and hopefully it will help prevent anyone else from making the same mistake) -- to pay attention to the size of available openings in pens and things because the shape of their heads allows them to push forward into a space much more easily than they can pull back....

 

[Amiga]

Very good note - ducks can get their necks woven through 2"x3" woven wire fence and be stuck, also. Voice of experience.

If one is separating ducks to prevent fighting, the fence must have small enough gaps they cannot poke their bills through. They will try.

 

[casportpony]

Very good note - ducks can get their necks woven through 2"x3" woven wire fence and be stuck, also. Voice of experience.

If one is separating ducks to prevent fighting, the fence must have small enough gaps they cannot poke their bills through. They will try.

Also had that happen here.

-Kathy

 

[Jessica89]

Oh my goodness!
Thanks for the warning.
I am so glad your duck is okay!