Duck problem...Wet feather? Diarrhea? Am I doing this right?

[krusiducks]

i am a very new member of BYC, and have ducks. 2 weeks ago my son got me 2, year and a half old buff Orpington females to add to our 6 duck flock. These girls came from a 400+ fowl farm and I mentioned in my intro that it seemed like they had never been exposed to large amounts of water. Swimming in a kiddie pool seemed like a new experience to them. When my son gave them to me, he said that one must be stressed from the pick up, removal and drive to her new home. I noted that her back end was dirty and that she might have diarrhea.
I watched her for a couple of days and finally with my husband’s help (she’s very wild and a biter) got her into a bathtub for a good soak. At this time we discovered feces caked on her legs, underside and around her vent. Definitely more than a stressful drive’s worth. We soaked and changed the water frequently and were able to work most of the clumps out.
I have been keeping an eye on her, and see that her breast feathers always seem damp (wet feather, right?), but she is trying to keep herself clean underneath. Tonight we put her in the tub again, just to see if her previous bath had helped her. No feces on legs or belly feathers, but some build up around her vent. Soaked her again, used a blow dryer on her and returned her to the coop.
From the things I have read, I think she will have the “wet feather” breast until she molts. As I mentioned, they are not big swimmers like my other ducks. She’s content to stand at the edge of the pool or water tub and splash water on herself to bathe, so I haven’t restricted her from swimming - she doesn’t. Anything I should be doing? I have apple cider vinegar and blackstrap molasses on hand and was planning on picking up some Nutridrench. Is the feces build up just something we have to work through or is there something that will help with this?
Sorry for the lengthy post, I feel like we’re doing the right thing but am looking for advice (and reassurance?). She’s not tame like my other ducks and human contact is frightening to her. I don’t want to be doing her more harm than good.

 

[chickens really]

The feces was probably from laying in a dirty environment.
Don't bother giving her any added supplements or that could do more harm than good.
She will have a good molt and her feathers will come in fine. Just feed her the regular feed and fresh water.
Best wishes..

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'd get some bird probiotics since you don't know what she was fed and how often she had fresh water. [ACV can be put into their drinking buckets at 1-2 Tab per gallon of fresh water]Get the one with the mother in it. You might consider a worming too. Because poultry kept in unsanitary conditions can pick up parasites. Safe guard for goats is liquid and very safe to use. Sounds like those girls are now in heaven compared to where they were. Bless you and your son for taking them in. I have 2 Buff females and they are a joy.

 

[krusiducks]

Thank you both for your responses. I am so relieved that we haven’t been harming her. I have been adding the ACV to their water sources. I don’t know anything about bird probiotics or wormers. Can I pick these up/order online myself or do I need a vet for these? If I can get these myself, could you be really specific (like brand names and strengths) of what I should be looking for?

I alternate between being angry that these huge number of ducks were kept in what I suspect were less than ideal conditions and grateful that we have them now. This poor girl! Possibly her only human contact has been us trying to clean her up...and from her honks, she’s not into it! I am able to hold the 2nd Buff and hope I can work into this with my dirty girl too!

Again, thanks for the info. I check the Duck forum quite frequently and have seen both your postings. Feel like I got the experts’ advice!

 

[chickens really]

Stress can cause stomach upset so what I'd do is wait and see how she is in a week before doing anything to her.

 

[Miss Lydia]

@casportpony is poop and parasite expert hopefully she’ll see this tag. The wormer is called safe-guard dewormer for goats it’s liquid. Fenbenazole is the wormer. TSC has it I order off Amazon since it’s easier for me. You can also get paste since you aren’t doing your whole flock. Lots of love and treats can win over a ducks heart she’ll come around she needs to start feeling better first. Mine love dried mealworms too. Don’t worry about the extra probiotic since your using ACV right now.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Maybe @casportpony can give dosage for wormer if you decide to try that approach. She gave dose to me but I’d Rather she give since she knows mls etc.

 

[casportpony]

Welcome to BYC! Is a vet an option? I ask because diarrhea could be a sign of illness and it would be best to have some poop checked for worms, coccidia (yes, ducks get this), bacteria, yeast, etc.

A vet is rarely an option for me, so I understand if it's not an option for you either.

Anyway, if they were mine and I was in your shoes I would approach this methodically. I would start by giving each one a thorough exam and getting a baseline weight on them.

Then I would get them clean. To get them clean I would place them in my bathtub with enough water for them to stand in and soak their underside. I would leave them in long enough to saturate all of the poop which will make it much easier to remove.
Once saturated, I would remove all remaining poop.

In the interest of keeping you other ducks healthy, I would suggest that you keep the two new ones separated until you can figure out what is causing the diarrhea.

When I bring new ducks in I keep them in quarantine for 30 days and I also de-worm with Safeguard for goats, and the dose I give is 0.23 ml per pound for 5 consecutive days. If the feathers are in bad shape I will treat them for mites and lice too. For lice and mites, I use permethrin or ivermectin.

@Miss Lydia mentioned ACV and avian probiotics, both are good suggestions.

 

[krusiducks]

I have seen her eat, drink and poop. I really think any diarrhea is behind us, if it ever was an issue? I automatically jumped to that because of how dirty she was when we got her (her name is Zola, by the way.) The initial bath/soaking (about 2 weeks ago) was an eye opening experience. The feces were so matted on her legs, belly and around the vent, it was like dreadlocks. Yesterday’s bath was nothing compared to that. She was clean except for some build up around vent feathers. And that could be left from what we couldn’t soak off initially. There is a limit to her patience and I don’t want to stress her out.
Zola and the other Buff were added to my flock 2 weeks ago, so I missed the bus on any quarantine. I do watch and handle my ducks daily and everyone else, including new duck #2 (Mozza) are doing well. Our new girls have fallen into the routine, getting excited for treat time, lining up at the gate for free ranging and heading into the coop at night.
I so appreciate the info on wormers, lice and mites. I will be adding these items to my duck stash and use this as reference if needed. According to Google I DO have a vet within 5 miles that sees ducks. (Who knew?) Thanks to all for sharing your expertise . I needed the reassurance that we were on the right path and answers as to what our next step should be if something changes.
You’re the best,
Joette

 

[Miss Lydia]

Sometimes just TLC is enough. Sounds like they have that. Would love to see pics when you can!