Injured duck

[SoggyForks]

This is my boy Hamburger, a 10 week old drake. Something got into my coop and scratched up his nose, also leaving him with a broken wing. So I moved him into a rehab pen. I keep it dark, he usually has a sling (sock) on his wing, and he has plenty of food and water. Is this shedding normal? Both of my pekins seem to lose a lot of feathers, but I'm a bit concerned with him.

PSA: I am a minor and am doing my best. I'm trying to get him back in working order by myself as best I can, so please don't be too harsh in the replies.

 

[Jenbirdee]

This is my boy Hamburger, a 10 week old drake. Something got into my coop and scratched up his nose, also leaving him with a broken wing. So I moved him into a rehab pen. I keep it dark, he usually has a sling (sock) on his wing, and he has plenty of food and water. Is this shedding normal? Both of my pekins seem to lose a lot of feathers, but I'm a bit concerned with him.

poor little guy how do you know it’s broken
did you take him to a vet?
and is he still in the dark because he is in shock ? did you give him any electrolytes for shock?
@ruthhope @CoriM

 

[CoriM]

I would not keep him in the dark...that will not help him heal and maybe he's losing feathers in a stress reaction. A vet would be a great idea. I don't know anything about healing a broken wing, but I guess holding it still in place would be where I would start. I would want to make sure he could still be close to the other ducks so also so he's not overly stressed.

 

[SoggyForks]

poor little guy how do you know it’s broken
did you take him to a vet?
and is he still in the dark because he is in shock ? did you give him any electrolytes for shock?
@ruthhope @CoriM

His carpal joint on his right wing isn't even trying to work. We haven't taken him to a vet because we have some experience with birds, but this is my first time having a duck, especially a young one. He has electrolytes in his water, and he's mostly in the dark so he isn't stressed out by my kitten.

 

[Belovedturkey]

electrolytes are deifinatlet good, put ointment on any wounds and scratches. I’m not sure what to do about a broken wing but a sling sounds like it will help for the time being. Is the wing the only main thing that’s wrong? Is he drinking the water, and how is his appetite. Is he lethargic?

 

[ruthhope]

I am wondering where you live, @SoggyForks
Are you in the USA? which state and city?

The loss of those feathers is normal -- Pekins do it all the time.

If something got into the coop -- a rat for example, he could have flapped his wing and injured it on the wall. Using a sock to immobilize the wing next to the body is good if there is a break or bruising. I'm a little concerned that the carpal might be dislocated rather than broken or bruised. But that's not likely. Did an adult examine the wing?

I also don't think the rehab pen should be kept dark. I keep injured ducks in dog crates/pet carriers in the house until they are healing and then get them back with the other ducks as soon as possible. A dog crate inside the duck coop is a good halfway to getting the duck back with the flock. I think you would be better to keep the kitten somewhere else and not keep the injured duck in the dark.

Please keep us updated on progress

 

[Jenbirdee]

How is your duck doing?

 

[SoggyForks]

I would not keep him in the dark...that will not help him heal and maybe he's losing feathers in a stress reaction. A vet would be a great idea. I don't know anything about healing a broken wing, but I guess holding it still in place would be where I would start. I would want to make sure he could still be close to the other ducks so also so he's not overly stressed

How is your duck doing?

He's doing a lot better. I put one of my smaller+calmer ducks in with him and the stress and feather loss has stopped (as much as it can with a broken wing). They're both doing well, have been getting some oats in their water to keep them entertained. The kitten stopped bothering them and they finally all chilled out.

 

[Jenbirdee]

He's doing a lot better. I put one of my smaller+calmer ducks in with him and the stress and feather loss has stopped (as much as it can with a broken wing). They're both doing well, have been getting some oats in their water to keep them entertained. The kitten stopped bothering them and they finally all chilled out.

that was a great idea. ducks hate to be alone. i’m so glad he’s doing well!!