Crusty Eye Moscovy Duckling

[KellyandKatie]

Hi! I have four moscovy ducklings that are apx three weeks old. One of them has a watery, crusty gunky eye. One eye. He is itching it when he is cleaning himself in the water, and it seems to annoy him since he keeps scratching it.
He is acting okay other than that, playing , eating etc etc
I am new to this,
he is in a brooder with his siblings, they were on newspaper, but I just switched them to wood shavings today- after I saw his eye, I think the shavings may be easier to keep clean and dry
what else? The ducklings are in a separate room that is kept with a heat lamp putting indirect heat over them

In that same room in another brooder I have silkie chicks about the same age, but they just arrived yesterday- and they are all looking great ( although seeing the silkies sleeping all sprawled out really startled me)

Anyway!
Should I separate him? What can be done? Links? Books? Help!
Thank you in advance

 

[KellyandKatie]

Oh sorry, forgot to add,
When I went to clean it with a warm wet cotton ball, I saw that it was white in the corner, and would not be wiped clean, like his actual skin in the corner of his eye was dicolored white- at first glance it looked like there was something forgien there, but after trying to wipe it clean, I realized it was discoloration

 

[DuckLady]

Try giving him some time alone with a tub of water deep enough to dunk his head and clear his nares (nostrils). Alot of times Scovies just get stuff int heir eyes that irritates them and all they need is some clean water to wash in.

 

[KellyandKatie]

Great! I was hoping it would be something like that. I filled up our bathtub and let him play, and then again massaged it with a warm water cotton swab.
Then I went and got some Terramycin from a friend.
When I got home I noticed that already he looks so much better
Now I am debating if I should give the terramycin or if I should wait till morning and see how he does
Thank you! That is very reassuring to hear

oh! and off topic-- I love your etsy shop!!