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Original poster

Rat bite

19 replies

GentleOtter · 13/08/2008 10:59

Last night a rat tunnelled into the duck run and has badly bitten my little female duck on the top of her wing.
I have carefully washed the bitten area with water and have put her into the 'hospital' shed with her drake. We are really upset and wonder if anyone else has had this happen and did their duck (or any other poultry) survive?

What type of antibiotic would be suitable for her?

OP posts:

LilRedWG · 13/08/2008 11:03

Many years ago we had a duck scared by a fox (which killed one of her friends ). Unfortunately, although not physically hurt herself, she died of shock. Keep an eye on her beak - if it starts to drain of colour it can be a sign of shock (in the same way we go pale).

It may not actually be best to take her to the vet as this may traumatise her more, so maybe give your vet a call and see what he says. He may say take her in or he may do a home visit.

I hope she is okay.

FromGirders · 13/08/2008 11:04

Ooh, how awful. Would the vet be able to advise over the phone?
(ps, did you ever get the corset? Agent Provocateur have a sale on at the mo . . .?)
Sending healing vibes to your duck.

TheDuchessOfNorksBride · 13/08/2008 11:11

I'd give the wound a puff of wound powder or a spritz of purple spray just to help fight any infection. Keep her safe and calm. I don't think poultry find rats quite as scary as foxes so with luck she won't suffer shock.

My local garden centre sells panels of that hard wired mesh (that rats can't chew through), it's about £5 a sheet but it will only need one or two nailed/stapled onto the bottom of the duck house to rat-proof it. I've used it on my rabbit hutch 'broody coop' and not even the badgers got in.

LilRedWG · 13/08/2008 11:12

Sorry - I realised I may have worried the OP even more - it really wasn't my intention.

Original poster

GentleOtter · 13/08/2008 14:33

She is resting now and the drake is protecting her. I puffed her wing but the rat has gnawed right through to the (exposed) bone. Am off to get the mesh and also have poured poison down the ratholes.

FromGirders - I never did get the corset as I'm quite 'ample in girth' and I thought that unleashing the bosom from a vampy corset may prove too much for DH. If you tie a potato sack tightly round a bale of hay, you get a rough idea...
Good sale though.

OP posts:

FromGirders · 13/08/2008 14:59

What a nice drake he sounds (no experience of ducks here at all!). Hope she'll be ok.

Oh, to have a bosom big enough to "unleash"!

LilRedWG · 14/08/2008 09:48

How is she this morning GO?

Original poster

GentleOtter · 14/08/2008 12:24

She seems to be hanging in there LilRedWG but we are going to chance it and take her in to the vet (with her drake) to see if they can help her with the pain and some antibiotics.
She kept flopping over on to her back so I've propped her up gently with a small heap of straw.
She is such a sweet little duck - we have no idea what kind she is and her drake is really brave trying to protect her. He will not leave her side.

OP posts:

LilRedWG · 14/08/2008 14:34

Oh bless them - they sound gorgeous. I hope the vet can make her feel lots better soon. I think taking her drake with her is a good idea. Keep us updated.

Original poster

GentleOtter · 14/08/2008 19:10

Dh took her to the vet but sadly she had to be put down. The rat bite had pierced the bone and it was infected. The rat had also bitten her neck.
The drake is in beside the guinea pig for company but he is really quiet.
We buried her under the Rowan tree and everyone is tearful.

OP posts:

LilRedWG · 14/08/2008 19:19

Oh Otter, I am so so sorry. I think that people underestimate how affectionate and funny ducks can be. Our duck used to run to meet me at the back gate and put her beak on the floor and tail in the air for me to stroke her.

Good idea to give the drake company.

Original poster

GentleOtter · 14/08/2008 19:26

Is it true that they mate for life? He is looking for her and doing little noises and it is breaking my heart.
I could trace the seller (from the Poultry Society) and try to get another duck for him - it is so sad that such a lovely little creature met such a horrid death.

Haggis, the world's fattest guinea pig is delighted with the company and I'm now thinking of getting a lady pig for him. Loneliness is awful.

OP posts:

LilRedWG · 14/08/2008 19:38

We already had another pair of duck as company for her mate and never tried replacing her, sorry I can't advise more. The Poultry Society should be able to help you there.

Sorry.

Original poster

GentleOtter · 14/08/2008 22:53

Thanks LilRedWG.
We still have Bob the mystery Muscovy duck who just appeared at the farm one day. She sat on a nest of eggs for months but now enjoys following us about.
Goodness knows where she came from as we are miles from anyone or anywhere.

The guinea pig and the drake seemed to get on quite well together and if it is nice tomorrow, Haggis can go back outside.
It would be nice if we could find another little duck for the drake though.

OP posts:

LilRedWG · 15/08/2008 08:31

Ooo - your farm sounds lovely - can I come and live there please?

handlemecarefully · 27/08/2008 01:00

Oh no GentleOtter

BloodySmartarse · 27/08/2008 09:35

oh that sounds horrid.

duchess, if i ask for hard wired mesh that rats cant chew through at the builders merchants or garden centre, will they look at me like im mad? more to the point, will they know what i want and sell me some, you think?

BloodySmartarse · 27/08/2008 09:36

the ducks sound SO sweet.

TheDuchessOfNork · 27/08/2008 19:35

smartarse - both builders merchants and garden centre should know what you mean and stock it. At our nearest garden centre it comes in fairly small sheets, which are about £4 each - ie. when I made an 8ft x 3ft run for my broody coop it cost about £40.

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