Duck after fox attack

[Sazzle543]

Hi, I'm hoping someone may be able to give me some advice. Our ducks were attacked by a fox 48 hours ago and one of the few that made it, doesn't seem in a good way. She isn't bleeding or appear to have any external injuries. I brought her in and having taken her back out today, only to see that she still isn't coping very well, I have brought her back in. She is drinking and I've managed to get her to eat some scrambled egg this evening, but this is how she is acting. She will stand briefly, but it's as if she is suddenly overcome with this need to drop her head down, without any control and tuck her head under her neck. Like a child not able to stay awake. She isn't falling asleep when she does this. She can stand, turn her head and hold her head up, but incredibly unsteady on her feet and will only stand for a short period of time, before her neck and head just fall down. Any advice would be very much appreciated!

 

[chickens really]

Oh my Gosh.......I rescued a Fox attack Duck this Summer...........Wow.......Bring her in and warm her....The shock of the attack is still in her......Cover a crate with a towel after you really look over its body for bites......

Keep me posted..


Hugs to the Duck...


Cheers!

 

[chickens really]

Any real Bites to her? Feather loss or blood?


Give her a deep dish of water and quack to her to drink it.....Sorry but Quacking soothes them.......lol....

 

[Amiga]

You might find that a tub of lukewarm water to float in (constant supervision, do not leave her) might cheer her up, and it can help you observe her more closely - I agree - look for marks.

Especially under the wings and around the vent.

She is probably in shock, and I would not keep her where the attack was - not right now.

Has the security breach been corrected? Foxes return.

If you have electrolytes you can add to drinking water that can help.

 

[poodlechicks]

Hope it's not the case, but your duck might have suffered internal injuries and be in shock. If that's the case, she needs fluids and an assessment of the severity of her injuries. Is there a way to take her to the vet?
Best of luck.

 

[Sazzle543]

Thanks all for your comments. I checked for external injuries and cannot see any, but still unsteady on her feet. I did a shallow bath and popped her in there, which didn't go well at all. She is a Cayuga so loves water. When she was in there, she simply couldn't keep her head up, she panicked, splashing around, constantly pulling her head out, before it dropped back in again. So I quickly took her out. The fox had left all my other necks alive, but with broken necks, so I saw what a broken neck looks like and it was a lot different to this. She is able to stand and look around, as well as in the mornings when she is at her best, she will lay, with her head up looking around for short bursts. I really don't want to keep her in pain and as they say, it is 'farm life' that you have to accept an animal sometimes has to be put out of her misery. I'm just wondering if she is drinking, able to hold her head up, eating treats here and there, whether she has a fighting chance

 

[Sazzle543]

Also, with regards to the fox, because we are on lockdown in England and all poultry must be put indoors, the fox dug under the barn and got in. It was such a small hole that when we heard the screams in the night, we rushed in, the fox panicked and couldn't get out. So we were able to dispose of it, knowing that if we didn't, it would return. Sod's law - our outdoor area is so secure and electrified, but as soon as we put them indoors, this happens. Sadly ironic really!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thanks all for your comments. I checked for external injuries and cannot see any, but still unsteady on her feet. I did a shallow bath and popped her in there, which didn't go well at all. She is a Cayuga so loves water. When she was in there, she simply couldn't keep her head up, she panicked, splashing around, constantly pulling her head out, before it dropped back in again. So I quickly took her out. The fox had left all my other necks alive, but with broken necks, so I saw what a broken neck looks like and it was a lot different to this. She is able to stand and look around, as well as in the mornings when she is at her best, she will lay, with her head up looking around for short bursts. I really don't want to keep her in pain and as they say, it is 'farm life' that you have to accept an animal sometimes has to be put out of her misery. I'm just wondering if she is drinking, able to hold her head up, eating treats here and there, whether she has a fighting chance

She does have a chance. if you bring her inside you can place her in a tub [not in use] with old towels down so she doesn't slip around. and maybe prop her neck up with a towel made into a donut place her inside with her head laying on the towel roll. She may need a few days to completely recover maybe longer. What she needs though is TLC and a chance. A large dog kennel can work as a temp hospital also or large plastic bin. She has been through severe trauma and needs time to recoup.

But I will say you are there and can observe better than us so go by your gut as to how she is doing. If you feel she is in pain or showing signs that she is then you may have to think of culling if you don't think she has a chance, but honestly we have seen some very gruesome attacks on here and the ducks have survived. They are amazing.

 

[Sazzle543]

Thank you Lydia - your message made me feel really optimistic and following your message, my duck ate more scrambled egg and was laying down holding her head up normally for the entire 40 minutes that I was in the room. That is a great improvement and really hope she continues getting better! I had no idea that trauma (if that's what it is) could last this long. Although it wasn't nice watching her reaction to the water, maybe it snapped/shocked her out of it a little, if that's possible

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thank you Lydia - your message made me feel really optimistic and following your message, my duck ate more scrambled egg and was laying down holding her head up normally for the entire 40 minutes that I was in the room. That is a great improvement and really hope she continues getting better! I had no idea that trauma (if that's what it is) could last this long. Although it wasn't nice watching her reaction to the water, maybe it snapped/shocked her out of it a little, if that's possible

That is great to hear. Given time and love she'll probably be okay. Was she the only one to survive? If so you may want to think of getting her a buddy she is going to be very lonely. In the mean time a non breakable mirror can help.
I am very sorry for the loss of your ducks.