Welcome to Sam & Lily
Sam & Lily finally got the all clear from the vet today, meaning they don’t seem to have a contagious disease. So they can finally be around my ducks (and out of my basement). You’ll be able to see them now and then on Flapper cam as they recover, and of course in photos. They’re with me for at least the next few months, if not forever. Lily may be a little too loud for my neighbors, but we’re going to try it and see how she does. (I have great neighbors. Hi, neighbors!) I think a duck quacking is way better than a dog barking, but I’m biased.
Sam & Lily enjoy some treats on the lawn while O’Malley and Petunia gawk at them from the other side of the fence.
Sam came over to the fence to tell off O’Malley. I love this photo. You can almost hear O’Malley thinking “Oh no he did not just say that to me!” while Petunia smack talks back to Sam from the safe region known as the far-side of O’Malley. O’Malley sometimes reminds me of Oglethorpe, the orange pointy alien from Aqua Teen Hunger Force. It’s an obscure reference, so here’s a video clip.
Lily is a beautiful girl with a big attitude.
She is missing a ton of feathers on her belly.
She’s also missing all the feathers on her head and neck.
And some down her back.
She’s way too thin, but she’s gaining weight.
She has a few swollen toe joints, and a few callouses that are like mild bumblefoot. We’re putting some blue antibiotic cream stuff on them.
Sam has some balance issues and possibly some neurological issues, and rocks back on his leg joints now and then. He has an infection, but it has been improving with antibiotics. He is underweight, but not as underweight as Lily. He’s also not missing as many feathers.
Both of them seem happy to be out and about in the yard, even if Flapper & O’Malley don’t seem too keen on them yet. Chewy is hilarious through it all. He just stays away and does his own independent thing like he always does. “Whatever… I’m busy” is his attitude.
I know Flapper and O’Malley will come around, and Lily & Sam will fit in… as long as Flapper doesn’t have to share his french fries.
26 Comments
Tiff, you might have to go into business with McDonalds to get more fries. OR a local grocery store where you can purchase frozen fries in bulk. I’m glad that Lily and Sam are fitting in and staying with you. it will be great to see them improve and their feathers multiply.
Why do ducks lose feathers? i know that the large parakeets/McCaws lose feathers when they are stressed. I’m excited to see the good changes in them. I’m sure that Sam and Lily are very happy now.
I am so happy to hear Lily and Sam are doing better! I love duck personalities “Oh no he did not just say that to me” ha ha while Petunia stays safe but still talks smack. I would stay in the safe region too. I am pretty sure O’Malley would win any fight
It is such great news that Sam and Lily are improving and are staying.
Sam and Lily might be your forever ducks? Awesome!
Lily reminds me of Tweek the conure. Tweek is missing a lot of feathers on her head, chest, neck, and back. The vet suspects that Tweek’s mate Peepers is plucking out her feathers. We haven’t had tests done yet, but they may not be necessary as there are lots of healthy pin feathers coming in, and the vet is hopeful. It can’t be that she’s plucking out her own feathers because she can’t reach her own head.
She’s in what I like to call her shabby chic mode right now, as is Lily. Pretty girl, a bit scruffy at the moment. Both ladies will make a full recovery, I’m sure.
Meanwhile, Peepers has a Malley-sized attitude in a 65-gram body. Sigh….
Choo is totally my hero. I identify with his independent stance.
I’m so happy to hear that these two cuties are improving. Looking forward to more good news, and the completion of the aviary.
Hi Tiff,
How long does it take to introduce a new foster to your ducks? A couple hours, days or a week or two? Also, with Lily’s feathers missing, does she need special care in colder weather?
You do a great service to your ducks, and McDonalds!
They are so sweet! I’m so glad they got a clean bill of health. Now, to grow feathers!
When do ducks molt, is it in the spring? Do you think their feathers will grow back after they molt? (I really have no idea what I’m talking about, but I’m just excited to see what they REALLY look like!)
I hope they continue to improve, and you won’t have your heart broken again any time soon. Hugs from 3000-ish miles away.
glad to see this how funny
Chackler: Yes, she does need extra care in cold weather, like the wet snow falling today in Seattle. Her part of the predator-proof pens is fully covered with a roof, so even though she can take a bath in a little pool, she can’t stay out in the rain and snow.
Introducing new ducks can take some time, especially in the spring when everyone is interested in mating. My ducks would go their own way for the most part, but Sam is pretty aggressive. He walks right up to Flapper and O’Malley to challenge them. I can’t let him do that because O’Malley would rip the stuffing right out of him. Lily challenged Petunia while my back was turned this morning, and she went postal on her. They’re both fine – it was just a second or two – but Petunia did some crouching duck, flying dragon moves and flew sideways in mid-air to make sure Lily knew she is not to be messed with.
Of course I can never leave O’Malley alone with other male ducks, so he’s a good example of a duck you can never introduce to other drakes. He’s just too cranky and bitey.
O’Malley is my wolverine.
Yeah for cranky ducks!!!
Hurray for the all clear! Will Lily’s feathers come back?
Toonie is unstoppable. I just have more and more respect for her. She ain’t Malley’s girl for nothing.
Technically, wouldn’t that be a “crouching duck, flying pterodactyl” move?
Annette: She should regrow her feathers, but a lot of them broke off instead of falling out. Those ones won’t regrow until she molts.
Wonderful, wonderful news. You are such a lifesaver for these ducks, literally (and obviously!) The world needs more pyscho animal lovers like you. I am the same way. It ain’t easy sometimes……
HONK!
YEAH!!!!
I’m with Tracy… We do need more psycho animal lovers in this world!
well, to be clear I wish that everyone would treat everyone and everything with kindness, love and respect. however, that is near impossible.
You’ll let them stay? That’s wonderful (when the dust settles;-)
Congratulations on their clean bill that’s good news!
I hope they will continue to get stronger (not too strong) and happy ducks, you’ve done so much for them, you probably have saved their lives.
Beautiful pictures too, specially Lily’s portrait, what a sweet girl.
And let’s not forget: Happy Birdday Tiff! Safe travels and enjoy your time with your parents and give little Sparkles a kiss from me:-)
May today be filled with lots of silliness and fun for you, Tiff. You are one heck of a lady and an inspiration to us. Happy birthday, kiddo.
To hell with anyone who criticized you for calling animal control to check that family out. You had more than ample reason. Someone has to protect the animals just like someone has to protect the children or the elderly. You (and I) are animal lovers. I’ve called animal control on people and I’ll do it in a heartbeat again if I see an animal being mistreated in any way whatsoever.
You obviously have a huge heart that needs to envelope these critters. Keep it up.
This update sure brought a smile to my face! I’m so glad to hear that they can get out of the basement, and are seemingly on the mend! Even better is that they might have a forever home with you! They couldn’t ask for a better home!
I have an injured duck. I found her (I assume its a girl) at a park. There are a couple of pretty bad cuts on her foot, making it almost impossible for her to walk.. she hobbles and falls down.. I thought her leg was broken at first, but after looking at her closer I can see her foot is just infected. I called everyone I could think of to see if anyone would go out and do something, but they all told me I was out of luck. They refused to help, so I brought her home myself.. I’m keeping her in a small pen. She has water and a shallow pan full of dog food (soaked in water) i also put some grass and clover in there. She hasn’t eaten or drank anything that I know of, but I’m sure she’s still pretty freaked out.. I’m giving her a half cc of penicillin (i’m going to do that for a week)
Anyway, I was just wondering if you could offer me any advice at all about taking care of her.. My intention is to get her walking again so I can release her back where I found her. I’m also spraying antibiotic spray on her foot. The feathers are gone on her neck. I dont know if that was from mating, or if she’s diseased or what.. My only concern is getting her well enough to go back with the other ducks.
Please help!!!!
Hi Jill,
Is she a domestic or a wild duck? If she is a wild duck, you could contact a wildlife rehabilitation center, if there is one available in your area–they generally have veterinarians on staff who are skilled specifically in caring for injured wildlife. If she is a domestic duck or if there is not a wildlife rehab center in your area, I would get her in to see a veterinarian who has experience with ducks right away–foot infections can get pretty serious pretty quickly. It is especially concerning if she is not eating and drinking and based upon the condtion you describe her to be in currently. I am not an expert by any means, but I have volunteered at a wildlife rehabilitation center in MN for a couple of years, and have several pet ducks of my own, and from the sounds of it, at this point, it doesn’t seem like something that can be taken care of without the intervention of a veterinarian who is experienced with ducks. Good luck and take care. I am sending positive thoughts to this poor girl and you.
Melissa-
Jill is in touch with someone closer to her home now who can help her find care and rehabilitation for this duck.
Thanks for the update–I always feel so sad when I hear about sick and/or mistreated ducks.