Crusted feathers around duck's eye?

[Doobly]

Hi everyone! This is my 7 year old boy, Edwin. For the last couple of weeks I've noticed he has had the feathers around his eyes looking a bit "dirty". They have access to drinking water they can get their heads into and a small bath in their enclosure. After noticing this I've made a special effort that when they come out for free ranging to put him into the kiddie pool and try and gently help him soak the feathers, assuming that it might be build up of muck from him not washing his head as well as he should. I've also made sure his claws are well trimmed in case it was due to a lack of accuracy while scratching. Does anyone have any advice? Happy to take him to a vet but as he is otherwise healthy, good weight, himself, I wondered if anyone had ideas on what could be causing this and any trusted home remedies I could try? I don't want to stress the old boy out taking him unnecessarily.

 

[Doobly]

Any suggestions?

 

[Eggcessive]

@Miss Lydia , @WVduckchick ,@chickens really might be able to help. I am only familiar with chickens. A crusty eye in chickens usually needs cleaning with saline, then using some eye drops or eye ointment. Not sure what is available over the counter for eyes in the UK. I think ducks need a clean source of water to clean their faces and bills daily.

 

[chickens really]

Possibly while drilling and noodling he poked his eye. As mentioned clean it with saline and keep an eye on it..

 

[Doobly]

Thanks. Never had eye problems before and it is both of his eyes which makes me doubt it being injury. 12 other ducks and no one else has this problem so unless they aren't letting him have as much access to the water as he wants (he tries to be dominant, posh and aloof but is actually a big pussy cat) I'm really unsure what's causing it. They have two sources of water in their enclosure changed daily and a pool changed every or every other day for when they're free ranging. I'll start bringing him in daily and cleaning them up the best I can with some saline. I'll keep you updated. If they get worse I'll take him to a vet but he doesn't seem too bothered although does seem to scratch at them more than usual. I wasn't sure if it might be something age related to do with his tear ducts?

 

[chickens really]

Thanks. Never had eye problems before and it is both of his eyes which makes me doubt it being injury. 12 other ducks and no one else has this problem so unless they aren't letting him have as much access to the water as he wants (he tries to be dominant, posh and aloof but is actually a big pussy cat) I'm really unsure what's causing it. They have two sources of water in their enclosure changed daily and a pool changed every or every other day for when they're free ranging. I'll start bringing him in daily and cleaning them up the best I can with some saline. I'll keep you updated. If they get worse I'll take him to a vet but he doesn't seem too bothered although does seem to scratch at them more than usual. I wasn't sure if it might be something age related to do with his tear ducts?

Yes that is a possibility too. Maybe just take him to the vet so you know exactly what his issue is..

 

[Doobly]

Did the saline wash

Yes that is a possibility too. Maybe just take him to the vet so you know exactly what his issue is..

Hi, with a little support his eyes are back to normal. I'll keep an eye on him and if they reoccur I'll take him to the vet to rule out any physical issues. Thanks for the advice!

 

[Doobly]

Just a little update. We took him to the vet and he was prescribed an antibiotic topical cream. He came indoors and we applied it for a week. He developed a cataract on that side but is otherwise doing well and his ususal self Thanks for all the help!