We had a visit from the fox on Sat night, she broke through the duck house and took my only female duck leaving 3 males very shaken. I have bought them inside and dealt with shock in the normal way and they all seem physically ok except for small grazes and one with a sore but no obvious injury to a leg. They all seem really depressed and are not eating , I've tried giving them porridge (they like that normally) but they are still not really eating , just picking.Would appreciate some ideas from others, I have been keeping duck for 8 years with the oldest I have now being 8 and would hate to lose them .
2007-02-26 23:10:44 · 10 answers · asked by isleofskye 5 in Pets ➔ Birds
They are NOT mornign the female! Good gods!
They are going through what in aviculture is called "attack Myopethy". When a bird is attacked, often times it will display a form of depression. Especially if they are moved from familiar suroundings. This is primarily shown by refusing food, downturned head, depressed stance, etc.
This can be (and often is) a fatal condition. It is up to the bird itself to heal, the only thing you can do is provide warmth (that has shown to have some positive response) and leave them alone.
I know these are your pets, but for all intents and purposes they are still wild animals. You have to treat them as such, at least for right now.
2007-02-27 00:41:10 · answer #1 · answered by taliswoman 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Although I am no duck expert, we used to have loads of them when I was a teenager. The previous answer is probably right, you should get them checked out by the vet if they don't pick up soon. No doubt they are going to be traumatised for a little while. Long-Term, can I suggest you get another female (or two?) asap? It would probably help the "unit" adjust.
Good Luck. I am jealous, I live in the inner city but would love to have ducks again..never mind.
2007-02-26 23:20:15 · answer #2 · answered by lululaluau 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep them in a hospital cage or an incubator, where the ones who develop infection or begin to go into shock will be at a consistent temperature of about 80 degrees, and just let them regress. Hand feed them with a syringe if they won't eat (dispense the food slowly, so they don't aspirate). You can get Kaytee Exact Hand-Rearing Formula, with digestive enzymes, at most pet stores. It should perk their appetites enough to get them eating on their own.
2007-02-27 03:48:14 · answer #3 · answered by Em 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They, fox pink or gray, consume small critters, mice, voles, rats. The ducks, have a greater danger of being killed by skill of a Mink. Mink will connect themselves to a duck, chicken, on the juggler and suck them dry of blood. i attempted to triumph over a Weasel off of a gosling we had hatched, however the Weasel had a death grip on the gosling and carried him away. Weasels are additionally interior a similar kinfolk because of the fact the Mink, a Mink is a weasel that keeps to be interior the water lives interior the banks of the water. My husband replace right into a trapper and that i had to benefit all those issues, and watch each and all of the PBS Nature courses.
2016-10-16 21:14:57 · answer #4 · answered by ramayo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like that they are morning for the female. Was the female laying eggs. If so, it could be that they are feeling low due to loosing a mate. That and a combination of the fear from the Fox. If they don't start to eat before long, you might consider getting them another adult female.
2007-02-26 23:42:58 · answer #5 · answered by golden rider 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Ducks could still be in shock, its a very shocking thing for Ducks to be stalked and killed by another animal. The fear is still there inside of them. Maybe if you could move then into a secured building they would feel safer and may start eating.
Sapphyre
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2007-02-27 00:30:14 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
That is the saddest thing. How about sending an email or calling the RSPB or RSPCA they will give you the best advice.
2007-02-26 23:31:23 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah...They missing the female. If a fox took your wife...Wouldn't you be depressed?
2007-02-26 23:23:12 · answer #8 · answered by Afi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well they are probably a little stressed because of what happened to them, so maybe this is why they are not eating, maybe even a little shocky, i would call the vet, he could give you the best advice.
2007-02-26 23:16:00 · answer #9 · answered by donttalkjustplay05 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Poor things...who says animals have no sentiments...do me a favour...look after them!!
2007-02-26 23:21:46 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋