2 ducklings aggressively ganging up on my adult duck

[Miss Lydia]

You ought to see what my ducks have to live with. We have rocky mountain terrain pick
Up rocks mountain ground makes more. I’m not sure if there is anything short of thick grass that would keep bumble foot at bay. So far since 2004 only one duck with it but I’ve had chicken hens come down with it though I’m treating one now. The one on Frankie’s foot should heal fine. I’m soaking and using prid (first time) I can’t bandage my hens foot because it was keeping her wound from
Scabbing so she is having the luxury of being a house chicken for a while.
Just keep treating and once she gets her shoes that will help protect her feet.

 

[CayugaDuckMomOfTwo]

You ought to see what my ducks have to live with. We have rocky mountain terrain pick
Up rocks mountain ground makes more. I’m not sure if there is anything short of thick grass that would keep bumble foot at bay. So far since 2004 only one duck with it but I’ve had chicken hens come down with it though I’m treating one now. The one on Frankie’s foot should heal fine. I’m soaking and using prid (first time) I can’t bandage my hens foot because it was keeping her wound from
Scabbing so she is having the luxury of being a house chicken for a while.
Just keep treating and once she gets her shoes that will help protect her feet.

That took a huge weight off my shoulders hearing that. I'm definitely going to keep treating. And again, she has a vet appointment Tuesday. I was starting to feel guilty that I got ducks with my setup. I'm trying so hard to grow and learn to give them the best life. I will continue with treatment and start using booties while they are out and foraging during the day. I'll fill their whole run with straw (is there a safe brand to use?) so their feet are comfy in the evenings and mornings.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I don’t I use straw just pine shavings so @Quatie will have to tell you what she uses. We have to work with what we have. I have no doubt your giving your ducks their best life possible!

 

[Quatie]

I get my straw from the local feed stores. They will sell whole bales of it, and I can get it pretty cheap. There isn't exactly a brand. Straw you can get compressed at TSC. You likely have a feed store that sells it even cheaper and there is not much of a difference.

Some people prefer shavings and I have used shavings for brooders. It does smell a lot less with shavings. I have been turned off lately by shavings a lot because the quality has dropped a ton. If you do shavings, make sure they are low dust.

 

[CayugaDuckMomOfTwo]

I get my straw from the local feed stores. They will sell whole bales of it, and I can get it pretty cheap. There isn't exactly a brand. Straw you can get compressed at TSC. You likely have a feed store that sells it even cheaper and there is not much of a difference.

Some people prefer shavings and I have used shavings for brooders. It does smell a lot less with shavings. I have been turned off lately by shavings a lot because the quality has dropped a ton. If you do shavings, make sure they are low dust.

Thanks for the information. I have been using shavings, because I was worried about it possibly getting wet and start to mold. Have you had any issues with mold using straw? I saw alfalfa hay at our local TSC. How often do you change it out? And also, do you take out every piece incase of mold or bacteria? Sorry, I've been hypersensitive since Grace.

 

[Quatie]

Thanks for the information. I have been using shavings, because I was worried about it possibly getting wet and start to mold. Have you had any issues with mold using straw? I saw alfalfa hay at our local TSC. How often do you change it out? And also, do you take out every piece incase of mold or bacteria? Sorry, I've been hypersensitive since Grace.

Hay will molds really easily. I have never had an issue with straw molding and I use the deep litter method. Mold would more likely occur if you have poor ventilation. If you are more comfortable with shavings you can do that.

 

[CayugaDuckMomOfTwo]

Hay will molds really easily. I have never had an issue with straw molding and I use the deep litter method. Mold would more likely occur if you have poor ventilation. If you are more comfortable with shavings you can do that.

Sounds good. Last question: does your straw ever get wet at all (like from heavy rain)?
The shavings outside their igloo seems like it will get everywhere outside their run because of wind and their fans.

 

[Quatie]

Sounds good. Last question: does your straw ever get wet at all (like from heavy rain)?
The shavings outside their igloo seems like it will get everywhere outside their run because of wind and their fans.

My straw does get wet. I have flood irrigation on my property and my entire duck run area gets flooded with water about every two weeks. This winter we had a ton of rain and wind in short period of time and my coop was drenched inside. When that happened, I needed to replace my bedding in the winter, since it was not going to dry out enough.

 

[CayugaDuckMomOfTwo]

Frankie update: it was bad news at the vet today. Radiographs showed inflammation and possible infection in multiple joints, and surrounding soft tissue throughout both her feet. Given her young age he said cancer is unlikely, but not impossible. He said the next step would to sedate Frankie and do a biopsy to see if it is infection, just inflammation, or cancer. She's back on Metacam for the inflammation, and he's calling in another antibiotic, that I'll get soon. He said the sores on her feet are ulcers, and that her issue has spread from the inside to the outside instead of the other way around. Possible autoimmune issue, or genetics.
I am heartbroken, and can't believe this is happening to my Frankie right after losing Grace. My vet assured me it is not their husbandry, but I just had bad luck with getting two ducks with serious issues. I can't prove Grace and Frankie were true siblings, because he would definitely lean more towards the bad genetics side.
I don't know yet if I want to sedate and stress Frankie out, or just try the medications and hope it helps. He said if the meds don't help, then I would just need to keep her comfortable the best I can until it gets bad enough to put her down. Surgery to remove affected bone isn't an option since there is too much affected. She weighs 2.25 kg, and he said to monitor her weight every other day, and make sure she doesn't drop too 2.1 kg.
I don't even know how to feel or function right now. I'm devastated, and all I want is Frankie to be happy and pain free.

 

[Quatie]

Frankie update: it was bad news at the vet today. Radiographs showed inflammation and possible infection in multiple joints, and surrounding soft tissue throughout both her feet. Given her young age he said cancer is unlikely, but not impossible. He said the next step would to sedate Frankie and do a biopsy to see if it is infection, just inflammation, or cancer. She's back on Metacam for the inflammation, and he's calling in another antibiotic, that I'll get soon. He said the sores on her feet are ulcers, and that her issue has spread from the inside to the outside instead of the other way around. Possible autoimmune issue, or genetics.
I am heartbroken, and can't believe this is happening to my Frankie right after losing Grace. My vet assured me it is not their husbandry, but I just had bad luck with getting two ducks with serious issues. I can't prove Grace and Frankie were true siblings, because he would definitely lean more towards the bad genetics side.
I don't know yet if I want to sedate and stress Frankie out, or just try the medications and hope it helps. He said if the meds don't help, then I would just need to keep her comfortable the best I can until it gets bad enough to put her down. Surgery to remove affected bone isn't an option since there is too much affected. She weighs 2.25 kg, and he said to monitor her weight every other day, and make sure she doesn't drop too 2.1 kg.
I don't even know how to feel or function right now. I'm devastated, and all I want is Frankie to be happy and pain free.

I am so sorry to hear about Frankie. I am sorry you still have some tough decisions in front of you. I am sure you will make the best choice for Frankie whatever that decision is. I will hoping for the best for Frankie.