Adult ducks suddenly unable to walk, one dead

[SometimesCraftr]

They free range all day, lots of worms and bugs here, and then they are fed Payback layer feed along with some cracked corn this time of year. Everyone else appears to be fine and of good weight. I noticed the male pekin is feeling light, but the runner feels about right. We're in the PNW and it's just lots of rain this year - nothing is being frozen out. I brought them inside to keep a closer eye on them and just gave them the charcoal flush. I also picked up some more epsom, and might switch to that. These guys have surprised me many times over with how hardy they are and how well they bounce back, so hopefully they will see a turn around soon. As I said, other than the walking issue, they seem to be okay and drinking and eating at this point.

 

[SometimesCraftr]

Oh, also this just started yesterday. We noticed it last night when locking everyone up for the night. No trouble before that. And again, we did just move them to a part of the yard we cycle to in the winter/spring, so my concern was there was a weed or something that they ate and shouldn't have. Or perhaps something in some water they found. We get a lot of rain and have clay soil so water tends to pond up this time of year.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hopefully the flushed will take care of it. Please keep us updated.

 

[DuckyDonna]

They are okay now right. And from what I have read they sometimes can recover from botulism. Hardware wire disease will def kill them unless treated by a vet.

Yes, they seem to be now. Although I picked up Spot and Lily tonight and cuddled with them a while then when I got to the house I saw there was fresh blood spots on my sweatshirt from where I had them on my lap. It was dark and I didn't see it until I got inside the house. I have no idea who it's from but tomorrow morning I will grab them both and check their feet and undersides!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Let us know what you find out.

 

[DuckyDonna]

Let us know what you find out.

Grabbed them both first thing when I let them out this morning and checked their underparts and feet. No sign of blood, just poop on the bottoms of their feet.

 

[Miss Lydia]

That’s good to hear. Might have just been a small cut or scrape. I went out one evening and found red blood on the roost looked over all my chickens that roost up there never did find where it came from.

 

[aart]

I went out one evening and found red blood on the roost looked over all my chickens that roost up there never did find where it came from.

I see this pretty regularly...often don't see any wounds.

 

[SometimesCraftr]

Just checking in this morning. My male pekin is standing, but isn't able to walk well yet. He can take a few steps and then comes down to his belly with wings out. But standing is an improvement from yesterday and his back end is up again, instead of drooping down. The female runner is still not able to walk or stand and just tries to scoot on her belly. Other than that they both seem fine. Eyes are clear, necks are up, and and they are eating and drinking. It took them awhile to go through the charcoal flush (until this morning) so i'm going to try the epsom salt flush today. I could tell they didn't care for the taste of the water. They'll drink muddy water but not charcoal water. Go figure.

I noticed their poop was very watery (like normal) and the pekin was a medium grey color, like the charcoal, so I know that's going through him, but the fawn runner just did a green one. I set them out of their overnight "hospital" bin to clean it out, so was able to get a good look when they pottied on the floor. I put them back in that for the day. They have an outside "hospital" house as well, but I thought one more day close at hand and quiet would do them good. It will be easier to administer the flush that i'd like to continue today since they just had the one yesterday. The other duck I didn't feel the need to bring in yesterday, my khaki campbell, seems to be walking just fine, so whatever affected them, she has worked through it quickly. I'll be sure to keep the post updated with their progress.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Well hopefully they will both be up tomorrow! Great news the KC has come through on its own! We are a muddy mess here too and seeing all my ducks rooting through that mess really bothers me I sure hope we dry out some.