Monday Update and Petunia’s Test Results
O’Malley did a little better today. He hopped down off his perch in the afternoon and took a bath. He is still very skittish and quiet, and he cried a little tonight, but I am happy he took a bath. I gave him a mirror so he can look at himself, and he seems to be enjoying that. Petunia got a mirror, too.
Petunia still hides out under the perch. Her wings aren’t good-enough to help her flap up top, and she’s also still scared to be out in the open anyway.
But after I gave her a shot of antibiotics, I did convince her to drink from the pool for a bit, and she ate some corn treats before going back to her hidey-hole.
It’s hard to tell if she’s just scared or if she’s having medical problems, because both she and O’Malley are still traumatized and not acting normally. Thankfully her blood results looked okay today, so that is very promising.
Since the ducks are staying in their pens these days, I spend time with them in the morning as much as I can. But when I get home from work, it’s already dark, so I bring them all together in O’Malley & Petunia’s pen and we visit there.
Flapper and Chewy are doing pretty well. Flap picks on Chewy a little bit, but they both seem to be doing okay. They share a pen now. Tonight Chewy took a swim in O’Malley’s pool and Flapper hung out on my lap for a visit. Flapper is really snuggly this week, and loves to rest his beak on my cheek while we talk.
We’re glad Petunia’s blood results turned out okay, and we’re still hopeful she can make a full recovery. If she continues to stay in her hidey-hole for another week, she’ll go back to the vet again for more tests. For now, she seems to be holding her own and doing okay.
Thank you again to everyone for the well wishes and support.
8 Comments
It is so irritating when someone or something comes into your territory and invades. Invades and destroys…
I sure hope that Raccoon is gone for good by now. I hope nothing every traumatizes the little family again.
No wonder everyone is so scared. I can’t believe O’Malley cried…so so sad.
We’re all thinking of you guys, Tiff. : ) You’re a very good Mama. They depend on you so much and it shows.
Love the shot of Petunia looking in her little mirror. She is so sweet.
Thank you for the updates on everyone. I’m so relieved that the blood results of Petunia are okay. She does look weary, but that’s understandable.
I’m sorry for Malley, poor boy, but I’m hopefull they will be feeling somewhat better in a week time. Besides the traumatic experience their whole routine has changed ofcourse now that they are penned all the time. The sooner they can pick up their old life, the better, but it needs a lot of work before that can happen.
I remember that when Socks dissaeared (he was Saartje’s husband) Saartje was not herself for a couple of weeks. I felt so sorry for her but there was nothing I could do. Finally she teamed up with Sjoukje and they became best friends. Later she tolerated Snuggles as a partner and they have been since then.
It’s said that geese are the prefect example for loyalty towards a partner, but I think ducks are just the same. That is one of the reasons why I can’t slpit up Sieb and Saffy. Sieb is totally devoted to Saffy, when I penned him for the first time (after he almost killed Snuggles) without Saffy he was wild and flew against the chicken wire, he was totally out of control. When I could catch Saffy and put her in with Sieb, he was fine, peaceful and at ease.
So O’Malley surely is missing Georgie, and grieving. But he will adapt, scovies are strong birds and once they find a new routine they will move on.
Petunia’s behaviour reminds me a lot of that of Saffy after she was attacked by Rudie the Canada gander in Spring. I thought I would loose her for a couple of days but she made it. She was just so scared and battered. I was actually surprised at how resilient they are.
I will keep all of them in my thoughts and prayers, and you too.
Thanks so much for sharing the positive news. It’s reassuring to see the kids altogether — group crisis-counseling session style — to help one another to get through this difficult time. It’s a big relieve to hear that Petunia’s blood work came back OK. She was never a touchy-feely type lap duck, so maybe she just need more alone-time to digest the horror. O’Malley has been crying a little the past couple days, and maybe that’s helping him cope and heal emotionally. And it’s an injection of encouragement to see Flapper’s big smile and Chewy soulful face, ready to put the tragedy behind them. Thank you, Ducky Mamma.
I’m so happy to hear that things look good for Toonie. I’ve been so worried. With time she will continue to improve, I’m sure. How adorable she looks, perched on the edge of the pool. Thanks for the update, Tiff.
As others have said, it will take time for Malley to heal, but with mirror therapy and hugs from mom, he will feel better.
I think this is the first time I’ve seen a detailed photo of the pen interior. Very interesting. You duckies certainly have posh digs.
be nice to chewy flap lol
What a good idea the mirrors are! I have been so sorry for O’Malley and Petunia — thank you for the encouraging update. Sending love waves to all your featherbeasts.
I wonder if supplemental heat would be helpful for Petunia? That way she wouldn’t spend any energy on maintaining her body heat in the recent cool wet weather.
Pringles wonders if the raccoon is gone?