Duck Won't Eat

[Amelia-DarkWing]

I could really use any suggestions right now, I'm begging anyone and desperate... I am having so many duck issues lately, it's killing me. My Male Rouen won't eat. He is drinking lots of water, and walking fine, but he won't eat his food. I have 2 different bags and he's eaten from both of them before, but the last 2 days he just won't eat either. I've tried searching for mites, but I don't see any, and the feed is all kept in sealed tubberware. Plus, I have a month old duckling who I tested both feeds on (normally eats separate food for his age), seeing if he sensed mites, but he eats both feeds up happily. The Rouen is a year and half old, and an indoor/outdoor pet, that I spend all my time with. His poop is very runny lately too, which seems understandable since he's not eating any solids. His mate, my lovely girl Pekin, did pass away a month ago, I believe from being egg-bound, so I don't know if he could be depressed, but it seems strange that it took a month for the depression to set in. Especially since he's just started to really warm up to the new duckling. The vet isn't open til Monday, so I just wanna know if anyone has any ideas until then. Should I force-feed him? Or what? If anyone could please give any suggestions... I've tried googling it, and there's nothing about adult ducks not eating in this situation. I AM BEGGING, PLEASE... ANYONE

 

[ks1961ks]

I haven't had this happen but if he is not eating I would try giving him treats - lettuce or peas. I would also put some vitamins and electrolytes in his drinking water. How old it your feed? Might it have been moldy or something when you bought it? Maybe you could get a new bag of feed and see if he eats.

Best of luck.

Hello 8 years later!
This week, all four of my ducks stopped eating. This reply helped me so much. Just wanted to thank you. They’re feeling feisty, and are eating.

 

[Carcajou]

I haven't had this happen but if he is not eating I would try giving him treats - lettuce or peas. I would also put some vitamins and electrolytes in his drinking water. How old it your feed? Might it have been moldy or something when you bought it? Maybe you could get a new bag of feed and see if he eats.

Best of luck.

 

[Amelia-DarkWing]

Thank you both for replying! His poop is seafoam green now ): To answer your question, his food is about 2 months old... I get the 50 lb bags from Tractor Supply, but again, I store it in sealed tubberware. I've also coated him yesterday with that DE powder for mites and bugs, just in case I am missing something. I put Niacin in his water. And I gave him a bowl of de-wormer water, just in case. He won't eat his favorite snacks either, although I did force feed him late last night. Which vitamins should I give him?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thank you both for replying! His poop is seafoam green now ): To answer your question, his food is about 2 months old... I get the 50 lb bags from Tractor Supply, but again, I store it in sealed tubberware. I've also coated him yesterday with that DE powder for mites and bugs, just in case I am missing something. I put Niacin in his water. And I gave him a bowl of de-wormer water, just in case. He won't eat his favorite snacks either, although I did force feed him late last night. Which vitamins should I give him?

Could he have eaten something toxic, in the stickies it gives a guide to flushes to remove toxins.

 

[Miss Lydia]

What's stickies? Where do I find this guide?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/700526/flushes-for-aiding-in-toxin-removal#post_9508213 this has to be followed to the T.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thank you sooooooo much! He seems to already be doing a little better!

What did you do? did you try one of the flushes? Happy to hear there is improvement already. Yay!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Yes, I used the epsom salt flush. So far, so good... only a little green poop left, and he's eating some on his own. I hope with this he will be 100% in a few days!!! THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH!!!!! I love this website. Somebody, like you Miss Lydia, always help me. I don't know where I'd be without you!! Thanks!!

That is great news.. Hoping to hear he is 100% very soon. Now have you been every place he can go to figure out what he may have eaten?

 

[Miss Lydia]

thanks (o: i'm hoping too, it seems to be getting a little better each day. now he just mostly pretends to eat, and spits it out... but i catch him swallowing every once in awhile, and he still eats up his tomatoes all the way. i have duck-proofed this house/yard a hundred times, unfortunately, there's nothing i can do about my trashy neighbors and their rat infestation spilling over. their yard is just an entire layer of litter. and their kids just trample all through my yard and flowers, and through their juice boxes and such all over my yard. i'm always worrying that the wind could blow over some of their more toxic trash in my yard )-: i wish there were something i could do about it without causing a war.

Sounds like a call to the health department might be good.

 

[Miss Lydia]

i’m having the same issue with my duck, i don’t know how to measure 1/4-1/2 gram.

What are her symptoms beside she won't eat.