Annual worming and other medical attention

[JRFager]

How often should we worm our ducks? They are just over a year old and we haven’t wormed them. Also any other annual meds we should be giving them?

 

[Isaac 0]

You are sparking a large debate. Waterfowl are generally healthy birds, most problems occur when the owner is not taking care of them properly, allowing them to sit in their own feces all day, no bathing water available, overall poor management practices. I'm not saying a healthy bird can't get worms, but your much more likely to see worms in birds that are being kept in horrid conditions.

I don't worm my waterfowl unless, they are showing symptoms similar to a worm infestation, or I see worms in their droppings, but, since worms don't always show in their droppings, and birds are very good at masking symptoms until its actually a problem, you could collect a sample of your flocks waste, and send it off to your local poultry lab or an avian vet in your area to have it tested. I choose not too, any bird that has died here, has been opened up to check for worms.

https://www.metzerfarms.com/Veterinarians.cfm

http://www.poultrydvm.com/labs.php

 

[JRFager]

You are sparking a large debate. Waterfowl are generally healthy birds, most problems occur when the owner is not taking care of them properly, allowing them to sit in their own feces all day, no bathing water available, overall poor management practices. I'm not saying a healthy bird can't get worms, but your much more likely to see worms in birds that are being kept in horrid conditions.

I don't worm my waterfowl unless, they are showing symptoms similar to a worm infestation, or I see worms in their droppings, but, since worms don't always show in their droppings, and birds are very good at masking symptoms until its actually a problem, you could collect a sample of your flocks waste, and send it off to your local poultry lab or an avian vet in your area to have it tested. I choose not too, any bird that has died here, has been opened up to check for worms.

https://www.metzerfarms.com/Veterinarians.cfm

http://www.poultrydvm.com/labs.php

Thank you! My birds are free range, we feed them well and they’re well cared for. I do worry because we have a large-ish pond and wild birds have started to visit. Thanks for the quick reply!

 

[Folly's place]

I agree, and to monitor, have fecals run occasionally, at your veterinarians, or another lab. Some places there will be issues, others never.
Mary