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One of our ducks is looking rough, acting a bit odd

post #1 of 5
4/14/12 at 6:20pm
Thread Starter 

Something is not right, but I'm not sure what to make of it.  We have nine ducks and two drakes.  One of the ducks is avoiding the other ducks, acting a bit listless, and looks shabby.  Her head and neck are dirty.  So, nothing dramatic, but I'm wondering if I am missing something.  They are mating, but not frequently as far as we can tell.

 

Is there anything I should be looking for?

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post #2 of 5
4/14/12 at 6:27pm


 

Quote:
Originally Posted by billw View Post

Something is not right, but I'm not sure what to make of it.  We have nine ducks and two drakes.  One of the ducks is avoiding the other ducks, acting a bit listless, and looks shabby.  Her head and neck are dirty.  So, nothing dramatic, but I'm wondering if I am missing something.  They are mating, but not frequently as far as we can tell.

 

Is there anything I should be looking for?


Do you know if she has been laying? if you can pick her up you might want to separate her for a while to keep an eye on her. maybe let her swim in a tub of warm water to clean up, and if she is having trouble laying an egg sometimes this helps. or could she have eaten something toxic? something while out foraging? 

 

Living in the Beautiful Mountains of Western N.C.. with 16 chickens= EE's, Game, Cochin bantams,Light Brahma,  13Muscovy ducks, 1Embden Gander,1 Toulouse goose, 3 mini Dachshunds, 1 mixed breed, pond goldfish,  and a wonderful Husband who makes it all possible..♥

 



 

~~http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jYLTn4fKYQ~~

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Living in the Beautiful Mountains of Western N.C.. with 16 chickens= EE's, Game, Cochin bantams,Light Brahma,  13Muscovy ducks, 1Embden Gander,1 Toulouse goose, 3 mini Dachshunds, 1 mixed breed, pond goldfish,  and a wonderful Husband who makes it all possible..♥

 



 

~~http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jYLTn4fKYQ~~

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post #3 of 5
4/14/12 at 6:45pm
Thread Starter 

I am never up and about when the ducks lay, so I don't know for certain if she has been laying, but I suspect so.

 

It is possible that she ate something, but they only forage in the garden, so I'm not sure what it could have been.  I fed them a bunch of overwintered cabbage a couple days ago, but that hasn't seemed to cause any distress before.

 

She is doing a pretty good job of separating herself from the other ducks, but I might move her into a dog crate with her own food and water.

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post #4 of 5
4/14/12 at 6:58pm

Could be she is a "favorite" of one or both drakes, and getting too much attention.

 

I would separate her, give her a warm bath, some treats, and a break.

 

 

Nine beautiful Runners, four beautiful Buffs, thousands of beautiful memories and counting.

 

Looking for ducks?  Please consider adopting rescued ducks.  There are many places and people who do rescues, but we are not allowed to post the links due to BYC regs.  So fire up your web browsers and find some sweet, grateful duckies. 

 

 

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Nine beautiful Runners, four beautiful Buffs, thousands of beautiful memories and counting.

 

Looking for ducks?  Please consider adopting rescued ducks.  There are many places and people who do rescues, but we are not allowed to post the links due to BYC regs.  So fire up your web browsers and find some sweet, grateful duckies. 

 

 

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post #5 of 5
4/15/12 at 5:33am
Quote:
Originally Posted by billw View Post

I am never up and about when the ducks lay, so I don't know for certain if she has been laying, but I suspect so.

 

It is possible that she ate something, but they only forage in the garden, so I'm not sure what it could have been.  I fed them a bunch of overwintered cabbage a couple days ago, but that hasn't seemed to cause any distress before.

 

She is doing a pretty good job of separating herself from the other ducks, but I might move her into a dog crate with her own food and water.



After a few days of R&R and observation please let us know how is doing. 

Living in the Beautiful Mountains of Western N.C.. with 16 chickens= EE's, Game, Cochin bantams,Light Brahma,  13Muscovy ducks, 1Embden Gander,1 Toulouse goose, 3 mini Dachshunds, 1 mixed breed, pond goldfish,  and a wonderful Husband who makes it all possible..♥

 



 

~~http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jYLTn4fKYQ~~

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Living in the Beautiful Mountains of Western N.C.. with 16 chickens= EE's, Game, Cochin bantams,Light Brahma,  13Muscovy ducks, 1Embden Gander,1 Toulouse goose, 3 mini Dachshunds, 1 mixed breed, pond goldfish,  and a wonderful Husband who makes it all possible..♥

 



 

~~http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jYLTn4fKYQ~~

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