Advice required. Potentially sick duck.

[Waddlewoods]

Picked up a Snowy Runner Drake today and he doesn't look so good!

As the girl was bringing him to my car she said "he needs some fresh water, their run is just mud". To me it looks like he hasn't seen water for awhile. Poor guy! None of my ducks have ever looked like this.his feathers are broken and gross, his nares are black and eyes all crusty. Is it an infection or potentially just needs # good swim/clean?

He seems to be acting totally normal. I got home really late but have him separated in my basement to keep him from all my other ducks just Incase. He's eating and drinking just fine. I'm planning to give him lots of swim time tomorrow and hopefully get him cleaned up. Any other advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Debbie292d]

I'm not good with ducks like I am chickens, but I really think the best thing is for him to get cleaned up so you can assess his shape better. As long as you have him where he's comfortable for the night and he's eating/drinking, he should be fine until tomorrow. I'd still try keep him away from your other ducks though for at least a week, two is better, as I'd be very wary when they come from a place like that! Who knows when the last time was the poor thing even got to have a swim.

He's got vibrant eyes and is very pretty despite being dirty. I hope he cleans up just fine with a good swim and some TLC.

We've got a few duck experts, so let us know how he's doing tomorrow if you still have some concerns about him.

 

[Waddlewoods]

I'm not good with ducks like I am chickens, but I really think the best thing is for him to get cleaned up so you can assess his shape better. As long as you have him where he's comfortable for the night and he's eating/drinking, he should be fine until tomorrow. I'd still try keep him away from your other ducks though for at least a week, two is better, as I'd be very wary when they come from a place like that! Who knows when the last time was the poor thing even got to have a swim.

He's got vibrant eyes and is very pretty despite being dirty. I hope he cleans up just fine with a good swim and some TLC.

We've got a few duck experts, so let us know how he's doing tomorrow if you still have some concerns about him.

Thank you! My biggest concern is the rest of my flock. I have to take him outside to give him a swim. I'm concerned that even if I do that while my flock is still locked up that maybe they can still catch something off him if they just go around where he has his swim/where I dumped his water. They free range my whole property.
We lost so many ducks to racoons this year and my son said if anything happens to the 2 big original ducks we have that he will never smile again..

I will keep you posted.

 

[Miss Lydia]

He’s a beautiful drake and with clear eyes hopefully only a good swim will get him looking healthy. Eating and drinking good are great signs!

 

[Waddlewoods]

He’s a beautiful drake and with clear eyes hopefully only a good swim will get him looking healthy. Eating and drinking good are great signs!

Ok thank you!! I will do my absolute best to try and keep my ducks out of the area where I give him his swim.

 

[Miss Lydia]

He really doesn’t look sick. Sick they don’t eat look depressed and he looks in good physical health. I bet he’s going to love his new home. And the TLC. So very sorry for your losses.

 

[sourland]

He really doesn’t look sick. Sick they don’t eat look depressed and he looks in good physical health.

This is my assessment also. Given a chance to clean up he should readily overcome the neglect he has endured.

 

[Waddlewoods]

He really doesn’t look sick. Sick they don’t eat look depressed and he looks in good physical health. I bet he’s going to love his new home. And the TLC. So very sorry for your losses.

So just now I noticed he does have a bit of foam in his eye. Is that common with lack of water?

 

[Waddlewoods]

 

[Canadian Wind]

Yes, especially if the pen was all mud. He wouldn't have been able to dunk his head.