One Dead Duck

10:59 AM, Sunday, 31 January, 2010
Temperature: 48 F
Overcast but not raining

Interim morning update:

Rabbits all survived the night just fine although out of water. Refilled water first on porch cages; no sign that they're using the bottles, still preferring crocks.

When feeding ducks found one dead on its side next to one of the feeder trays. Rigor had set in. Got work gloves and wrapped duck in sheet of plastic and set to dumping feed onto ground and washing feeder trays, water containers thoroughly. Refilled water and moved on.

Fed sheep orchard grass hay, same to rabbits. Wrapped dead duck was in rigor but no sign of insects yet and eyes were still intact. Moved cadaver to freezer until we find a vet to perform a necroscopy.

Old school farm, duck would be in the pot already. We're less hungry than that.

Update: It was Quasimodo that died; younger duck with misshapen wings and a definite hunch and lurching gait. Seems probable that it may have been a congenital defect. Necroscopy will tell for sure.