How To Treat Intestinal Blockage?

Date sort Score sort
Little Byrd

Little Byrd

Chirping
Dec 25, 2015
128
6
61
Georgia
I think my ducks have intestinal blockage from eating the dried grass I've been using for their bedding. They've been eating very little food. What should I do?
 
Any time ducks eat items other than their food they need grit in order to properly digest. You should try using something else, that they won't eat, for bedding. Otherwise, if they're filling up on dried grass, they aren't getting proper nutrition.

How old are they? What is their regular feed? What makes you think they have blockage? Are they not pooping?

I'll tag some more knowledgeable members for their input. They will also probably have more questions.

@casportpony
@Miss Lydia
@jtn42248
@Amiga
 
Debs Flock said:
Any time ducks eat items other than their food they need grit in order to properly digest.  You should try using something else, that they won't eat, for bedding.  Otherwise, if they're filling up on dried grass, they aren't getting proper nutrition.

How old are they?  What is their regular feed?  What makes you think they have blockage?  Are they not pooping?

I'll tag some more knowledgeable members for their input.  They will also probably have more questions.

@casportpony

@Miss Lydia

@jtn42248

@Amiga
 
Click to expand...


They still poop, but very little and rarely. There has been a HUGE drop in their appetite, even for their favorite treats. After googling their symptoms, I guessed it might be some sort of blockage.

They free range everyday so they have access to grit until I lock them up in their coop for the night. Both are almost 6 months old, and they were fine until I started using the dried grass. I gave them applesauce and yogurt mixed with a tbspoon of olive oil last night, hoping to help loosen any blockage. I also have been giving them lots of water, but so far they still eat very little.
 
Okay, now this makes sense. First, my bad, I was thinking they were younger. I got confused with a different thread. I do think you should stop using the dried grass for bedding.

You've had good Spring temps in your area, right? When they first start free ranging in Spring they do get a lot of what they need to eat from your yard. My 4 ducks probably ate less than half of their normal amount of food for a couple of weeks when they started getting out this Spring. Do they always have access to water, including when they free range?

Are you noticing anything else out of the ordinary other than reduced appetite & less elimination?

Can you post a picture of their poo?
 
Debs Flock said:
Okay, now this makes sense. First, my bad, I was thinking they were younger. I got confused with a different thread. I do think you should stop using the dried grass for bedding.

You've had good Spring temps in your area, right? When they first start free ranging in Spring they do get a lot of what they need to eat from your yard. My 4 ducks probably ate less than half of their normal amount of food for a couple of weeks when they started getting out this Spring. Do they always have access to water, including when they free range?

Are you noticing anything else out of the ordinary other than reduced appetite & less elimination?

Can you post a picture of their poo?
Click to expand...
Feel their crop area is it hard and bulging? that is where they keep their food while grinding it up. It will be at where neck and body meet. When mine eat I can see the bulge where the food is sitting. Not big like a chickens though a chickens really stands out. And a pic of their poop would def be a good idea.
 
Debs Flock said:
You've had good Spring temps in your area, right?  When they first start free ranging in Spring they do get a lot of what they need to eat from your yard.  My 4 ducks probably ate less than half of their normal amount of food for a couple of weeks when they started getting out this Spring.  Do they always have access to water, including when they free range?

Are you noticing anything else out of the ordinary other than reduced appetite & less elimination?

Can you post a picture of their poo?
Click to expand...


I have not seen any poop today, and they have been making weird grunting noises when they are out foraging. I assumed they were just excited from all the bugs or maybe that they were about to start laying (they're both at laying age but haven't laid any eggs yer).
 
Little Byrd said:
I have not seen any poop today, and they have been making weird grunting noises when they are out foraging. I assumed they were just excited from all the bugs or maybe that they were about to start laying (they're both at laying age but haven't laid any eggs yer).
Click to expand...

Hmm, this is puzzling. Did you feel their crop area as Miss Lydia mentioned?

What kind of food do you give them? What is the protein percentage?
 
I found poop! :D Three of them
400

400

400

Ok, I can clearly see undigested blades of grass, and the poo is kind of dry and stringy.

I couldn't get a hold of them to feel their crop, but it they aren't as distended as they were yesterday.
400

One is a khaki and the dark one is a chocolate runner. The runner's crop is still a little thick and she keeps squeezing her body like she is trying to poop something out. I have a video but dont know how to upload.
 
Last edited:
The runner is laying down now and doing that squeezing thing again. It looks almost like she's breathing hard but with her beak closed.
400
 

Similar threads

N
    • Like
Heimlich ate plastic
2
Replies
11
Views
426
Miss Lydia
Miss Lydia
N
    • Sad
Sick Duck
Replies
1
Views
519
Canadian Wind
Canadian Wind
3speckled3
    • Wow
Adult ducks eating pine shavings
Replies
5
Views
873
telandra2
telandra2
JulieHei
Duck emergency! Need help fast!
Replies
8
Views
1K
Goldendreams
G
Kagen101
    • Wow
Tube feeding question
3 4 5
Replies
44
Views
791
Miss Lydia
Miss Lydia

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom