Dirty Duckling, Need some advise please!

[Ramsdale]

My daughters ducking came home to us and what we thought was a damp duck is apparently and dirty duck.
Whatever it is it's brown and sticky but dry.. I think its bothering the little guy he keeps itching his back.

What do you think? What can I clean him up with? I was thinking a warm swim in the sink and alittle bit of Dawn detergent to clean him up? I know they use dawn for the animals trapped in oil spills.

 

[PlumTuckered]

I would go with the warm swim/bath, once he's wet he may be able to preen all of that out of his down. Precious little baby you've got there

Michelle

 

[duckluck]

Try the warm swim first, and if it doesn't help, dab a bit of Dawn, rub it gently and rinse him thoroughly...you don't want him ingesting it or getting it in his eyes, and the babies have such fragile skin you don't want to scrub it or have him constantly picking at it.

 

[CoopCrazy]

Yep toss him in the tub.. He'll clean himself up... If that doesnt take it off , i agree with a drop of dawn..

 

[Amiga]

There are some parasites that do this to ducklings. Often it is mites, sometimes lice.

Please don't grab insectides! See if you can see anything with a magnifying glass in good light. These things are tiny, and often tan colored.

You can use a little olive oil or 1 part organic apple cider vinegar with 1 part water and work it into the feathers of the head, neck , wings, all over. This is what Storey's Guide recommends.

Wipe down the brooder with vinegar, too.

Now that the little one is in your care, once you clean it up it should be just fine, given a clean environment and opportunities to swim, and good nutrition.

 

[katharinad]

Please do not use dishwashing liquid, even if it is only a drop. They are designed to cut grease and are very harsh on the ducks skin. Plus the perfume isn't that good either. If you need any kind of soap use only baby shampoo/soap. These contains oils that are very gently on the skin. I think a small pan with warm water may be all the duck needs.
Katharina

 

[Ramsdale]

Well the little duckling is much better now.
We tried the warm bath and letting him preen but sadly it did not help very much. I think it really irritated it more.
Whatever was on him was very thick and greasy.
Second bath with alittle liquid dove really did the trick. I only used a drop on his back nowhere near his head and smoothed down the area and gave him a really good rinse and we have a new duck!
There are no mites, the down and feathers were so matted down by the stuff that it was pulling on his skin, that was the irritation. Since his bath he is much more relaxed and no longer scratching or over preening!

Thanks for all the advise!

 

[Amiga]

Yay!