Reptile & Amphibian Forums

First off, I love my ducks so please don't say to butcher her and eat her as I've heard from everyone else lately...

One of my two favorite ducks, Momma Ducky, is in trouble! Yesterday evening I heard a commotion in my backyard and found my free ranging favorite pair of ducks under attack from three other pekin drakes I have. The horrible threesome of drakes are actually soon to be leaving my farm to go to a new home (they're very FORWARD and obnoxious) along with their three hens, and this was settled days before anything happened to Momma. Back to the story, her long time mate was trying to fight off the mean drakes but one had him pinned by the neck up against a tree, while the other two were very seriously trying to have their way with Momma. They finished as I was running over, only to have the other one run over and jump on top of her. I had to lift him from her, and even then he repeatedly tried getting to her. Her nose was dug down into the mud and when I pulled it out she had skin torn and bleeding from her bill, and was plugged up solid with mud. I rushed her to the water and she cleaned her bill. When I set her down she could not stand or walk/waddle. I thought I would leave her be until the horrible threesome came back for more, leaving their hens who they are very well behaved toward. I put Momma into a large cage with a large pan of water and some feed. Her long time mate has relentlessly guarded her all evening, night, all through today and still he sits next to her cage talking to her. She is eating and drinking fine. She seems to have a problem getting her right side leg underneath her, therefore cannot walk or move well. I took her out today and brought her into a duck pool and found that she was quite happy, swimming just fine, both legs functioning fine, eating, drinking, and talking away to her mate, who followed me and then sat next to the pool all the while. The entire time the three drakes tried getting to her, but her mate and I fended them off.

I know this may be a lost cause and I'm ready to put her out of her misery if there's no good possible outcome for her. But does anyone have any idea's or suggestions to help her? Is this sort of behavior common in Pekin drakes? This is the first it's happened. Does anyone have any suggestion as to what is wrong with her? No vets up here will take in a duck, so my options are very limited. Overall, she seems a little unlike herself, but still quite full of life so I hate to end her life without giving her a shot at a recovery. The horrible drakes and their hens are leaving in just a few days, then it will be only her and her mate left here. Please, any help at all is very much appreciated! You can also email me at zr440racer@hotmail.com if you'd like and I can send pictures. Thank you!

Hi,
Male Pekins can be quite aggressive especially when it is mating season...although mine would do the dirty 24/7/365 and may very well be doing just that. I am currently looking for a couple more Pekin females just to keep peace.

Let me try to help with your injured duck though. I'm not a vet but have been through some banged up duck issues like stuck fish hooks, ripped out blood feathers, & eye injuries from fights. First, what type of duck is Momma, is she a Pekin too? Second, does it appear that the leg is broken (is there any broken skin or abrasion?) What about her foot, does it appear to be normal? Mine have had tears in the webbing that have caused them to walk differently. If you know one leg is normal ie. she can stand on the one but refuses the other, then you can use the good one to compare with the one bothering her. If you can determine they look the same, you may be able to rule out a break. My vet has fashioned splints using tongue depressors for leg injuries and that has worked, but you really need someone to be able to tell if it is broken. If you have an Exotic pet shop near you, they may be able to recommend someone who'll treat birds. I would start there if I couldn't determine the problem on my own.