Devastated and need advice

[jevans1]

When you write about treat and deep clean/disinfect . . . I strongly urge you to take a step back and think about what it is you want to accomplish.

I can see that you want to protect your ducks. That is good and right. At the same time, and I don't know if this is what you had in mind, trying to apply the synthetic chemical solution is apt to cause a bunch of problems.

So before I go further, did you have something in particular in mind? The way I would approach it is to first concentrate on duck house and pens and use the least toxic means. In fact, if you don't know what you are after, that's going to be a challenge. And trying to kill every living microbe is not something I would recommend.

The land and ponds, especially - - - I think one could end up with a truly toxic mess if not careful.

@Amiga I totally agree with you on this. Here are a few more bits of information before I discuss what I am planning on doing. Let me know what you think from there please. First off, I took them down to Lake Michigan quite a bit to go swimming. I just read today that due to our higher levels of water in the lakes this year that the runoff that form small pools on the beaches have been testing positive for botulism type C and this has in turn resulted in the findings of dead Mallards in the Grand Traverse region. This was one of their favorite spots to go. They would dabble away in these ponds and have a blast eating all the little plants and bugs that would be floating around. After hearing of this disease today, I wonder if I was actually taking them to the spot that eventually got them sick. There is is no way of knowing for sure at this point, but I want to keep my new ducks much more protected and safe. In other words, I thought I was doing a good thing bringing them to a safe little pond away from dogs and people....but at the same time full of yummy stuff for them to feed on.....when I actually was probably bringing them to the place that killed them.
I admit my ignorance and am extremely guilty for this.
Cages, Pond, Bike Basket, Crates, tarps, watering dishes, food holders, duck house. All of this stuff I got for them I feel needs to be disinfected. I understand your concern and hope you can help me with some advice. I was thinking of power washing these things and spraying them with bleach mixture to sit on them for an hour or so and then power washing them again. The ponds can all be drained and refilled. They are not real ponds in my yard. Their duck pen was built elevated off the ground with hardcloth and a pool inside so I could clean it out everyday for them. Their excrement would fall to the earth below where I planted Mint for the smell and it loves water, and creeping Jenny as a ground cover. Before this, it was just mulch which became very muddy in no time.
I was thinking this would be a good time to do this because there would be two whole weeks of weather, rain, sun, ect...to return it all back to safety. Please advise otherwise. I will wait until I hear back from you before I do ANYTHING at all. I really don't want to screw up. I also don't want some parasite to be lingering and take me next ducks.
Thanks you Amiga and anyone else who may have advise to give.
Jen

 

[jevans1]

In addition to my above discussion on disinfecting the run I have read up on some other suggestions from this site. I read a long discussion in a Chicken Forum that suggests mixing One Cup Bleach to One Gallon Water and then One Cup Vinegar and then cleaning with this. They also said dirt can not be cleaned unless heated in the oven (which I can't do) but that lime in the earth helps. Any ideas on this? If their poo was contaminated and it is in my soil....all around my home....won't it just be given to my next birds as they forage in the yard?

 

[lomine]

I'm so very sorry.

I must say the duck plague description posted by @Cherib603 sounds very much like what you described. If that was the cause, I don't think there is much you could have done and I don't know if there is a way to prevent it happening again given the same circumstances. For the future, you will have to decide if you want to give the same experience to your other ducks. If you take them to the same places there will of course be a risk. You will have to decide if the risk is worth it.

I will say that I had to make a similar type of decision for my ducks and chickens. I used to leave them in their secure run all day while I was at work. Mind you, the run is about three times the recommended size and has a pool and covered area. So they were safe, had plenty of space, and some entertainment. I let them out in the yard when home. It is fenced but they are more vulnerable to birds of prey and any stray dogs that could jump a 5 ft fence (but we don't have a lot of strays in my neighborhood). However, I decided to let them have free rein in my yard and they now spend the majority of the day free. There is a much bigger risk to them but I know they are 100 times happier in the yard. My point is, you will need to decide how big of a risk you are willing to take versus the life you want to give your ducks.

As @Amiga previously stated, it is a good idea to test for worms before treating. This is a worthwhile lesson to take from this terrible experience. I don't know if the worming was a factor in the end but I also practice the approach of not giving unnecessary medications/treatments.

I also agree that you will want to be very careful about cleaning your land and water. I would definitely recommend removing all bedding (i.e. straw or shavings) and disinfecting the coop and pools. Vinegar will actually kill a great many things but it isn't a poison that will have negative effects. I would not recommend trying to disinfect any land or ponds. There is no way of knowing if you'll actually get rid of whatever killed your ducks but you will more than likely cause a great deal of harm to the ecosystem. Just remember that most things stay in the ground and water for a long time and there is a chance your ducks will be exposed to anything you add.

It is very difficult to loss a pet and even worse when you know it was a difficult death. But this is unfortunately a reality of owning animals. It sounds like you gave them an absolutely wonderful life. As you grieve for them try to remember the happy 9 months you shared with them and not the last one day. And when you get your two new babies, enjoy your time with them without guilt.

 

[lomine]

Just wanted to add since I just read your last two posts, the bacteria that causes Botulism is commonly found in the dirt. Is there a chance they caught it from the pools you took them to? Possibly. But it is also possible it was already in your dirt at home. Botulism is the number one cause of sudden deaths in ducks. But the symptoms you described don't totally fit those for Botulism.

As far of bleach and vinegar. I'm sure it's effective but I personally don't use bleach. I prefer apple cider vinegar as it works and smells way better.