Duck care...possible dehydration

[kathy lauver]

Hi, I am new to thus forum and would appreciate any advice. I have 3 Khacki Campbell hens and this evening when I went to check them the one was nibbling at my boots which was odd because they are very skittish. It appeared that She was thirsty, so I checked the water and apparently the nipples froze, but the heater kept all of the water in the bucket defrosted. The chicken water if perfectly fine! I gave them warm water and she was drinking then flopped down and began shivering. I took her inside immediately as she got wet when she flopped down. After about an hour after she had food and water she seems fine. Do i need to do anything special to reintroduce her to the cold? Should I do anything further? It appears she was dehydrated and I feel horrible. Lesson learned...check the nipples on the waterer.

 

[sylviethecochin]

Ducks actually need to be able to dip their entire beak in the water in order to clean out their nares (nostrils). I would not be using a nipple waterer at all for ducks. I'd switch to a rubber pan instead--if one of those freezes, you can flip it over and stomp on it to get rid of the ice.

Good luck and I hope she's completely recovered.

 

[Welshies]

You have ducks? Using a nipple water?
Honey, no.
Ducks need water deep enough to wash out their nares (nostrils) in. They need it. They need water to swallow their food too.

 

[shawluvsbirds]

I just recently rescued a duck from someone who was keeping him with chickens and only had a nipple waterer. Ducks can not survive forever on these alone.

see all the crust on his bill? That's duck snot. I'm not surety much longer he could have lived but he was also underweight. Ducks need to be able to wash down their food Or they can choke also. They love to dip their food in water as well. . with only nipple waterer they will not eat enough as well as being dehydrated.
I hope this helps.

 

[shawluvsbirds]

I'm not sure about your question on reintroducing to the cold. . .
@Miss Lydia @WVduckchick
any suggestions?

 

[Welshies]

I'm not sure about your question on reintroducing to the cold. . .
@Miss Lydia @WVduckchick
any suggestions?

Use a heat lamp and raise it an inch per day till they no longer need it.

 

[Welshies]

But yes, ducks can not survive on nipple waterers alone. Their nares will become clogged up, even causing clogged bills. They may choke on food because a nipple waterer doesn't allow them to properly wash down their food with water.

 

[WVduckchick]

I assume the duck is an adult? Whereabouts are you located? Unless its sub-zero, I don't think it will be a problem to return her outside. I'd wait for the warmest time possible, hopefully the sun will be shining. Just keep an eye on her for a bit afterwards and make sure she returns to normal. The longer she stays inside, the longer it will take for her to acclimate back out though.

 

[shawluvsbirds]

I assume the duck is an adult? Whereabouts are you located? Unless its sub-zero, I don't think it will be a problem to return her outside. I'd wait for the warmest time possible, hopefully the sun will be shining. Just keep an eye on her for a bit afterwards and make sure she returns to normal. The longer she stays inside, the longer it will take for her to acclimate back out though.

That's kinda what I was thinking. . it all sort of depends on how warm it is inside vs. Outside . . and how long it has been inside.

 

[shawluvsbirds]

Use a heat lamp and raise it an inch per day till they no longer need it.

I wouldn't think a heat lamp would necessary for an adult duck in this situation . . it may possibly make it too warm making it even harder for it to acclimate back to the outdoors