Amanda128891
In the Brooder
- Aug 3, 2021
- 6
- 13
- 21
Hi everyone,
Just a quick summary- my female duck lost her bonded male a few weeks ago. We are building reinforcements to their enclosure, supervising her time outside, and have some of her eggs in the incubator so she isn't alone for much longer.
I have noticed she has lost weight. I've been giving her all the goodies (peas, fruit, mealworms, cat food, corn, oatmeal) in addition to her normal crumble, and started adding citra-lite to her water. She doesn't seem crazy about any of the food options, but is eating a little bit of some of it (she has always loved mealworms and peas, she seems to like the cat food too).
She also has been doing this odd behavior where she opens her mouth to quack but nothing comes out (video attached). This looks different than panting. I'm not sure if she might have something in her crop? Or just something she is doing now that she is alone.
I have a few questions given everything:
1. Any other tips for getting her to eat more?
2. Should I be concerned about the open mouth behavior?
3. I have never given her a dewormer, but I've read that weight loss can be a symptom of worms. Given the stress in her life right now, would giving her dewormer be safe? Or wait until she gains a little weight back (and hopefully has some ducklings!) and give it to her?
Thanks
Just a quick summary- my female duck lost her bonded male a few weeks ago. We are building reinforcements to their enclosure, supervising her time outside, and have some of her eggs in the incubator so she isn't alone for much longer.
I have noticed she has lost weight. I've been giving her all the goodies (peas, fruit, mealworms, cat food, corn, oatmeal) in addition to her normal crumble, and started adding citra-lite to her water. She doesn't seem crazy about any of the food options, but is eating a little bit of some of it (she has always loved mealworms and peas, she seems to like the cat food too).
She also has been doing this odd behavior where she opens her mouth to quack but nothing comes out (video attached). This looks different than panting. I'm not sure if she might have something in her crop? Or just something she is doing now that she is alone.
I have a few questions given everything:
1. Any other tips for getting her to eat more?
2. Should I be concerned about the open mouth behavior?
3. I have never given her a dewormer, but I've read that weight loss can be a symptom of worms. Given the stress in her life right now, would giving her dewormer be safe? Or wait until she gains a little weight back (and hopefully has some ducklings!) and give it to her?
Thanks
