Duckling with Sour Crop

[saving grace]

I'm pretty sure my 3-week old duckling has sour crop. I noticed one was acting different today - lethargic, not keeping up with the group, chirping constantly. The duckling is also quite smaller, maybe half the size of the other ducks. I picked the duck up to look for any signs of illness and I accidentally ended up burping them. Thankfully they didn't aspirate or anything, but dark, smelly liquid spewed from their bill. It must be sour crop then, right?

I'm not sure how to start treatment. I can isolate them easily enough, thankfully, but I'm not sure if treatment is the same with ducks as with chickens. Also, do natural remedies (garlic and ACV water) actually work? Or do I need to buy medication? If so, what kind?

I really hope this poor duckling will be okay and they aren't too far gone.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

When the duckling threw up were you pressing on their stomach at all? Do your ducklings have access to grit?

 

[saving grace]

When the duckling threw up were you pressing on their stomach at all? Do your ducklings have access to grit?

Yes, I was pressing on the stomach.

They don't have access to grit since I only feed them their starters mix. Maybe the duck ate a pine shaving, though. I have full-sized chicken grit; is that too big for 3-week-old ducklings?

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Yes, I was pressing on the stomach.

They don't have access to grit since I only feed them their starters mix. Maybe the duck ate a pine shaving, though. I have full-sized chicken grit; is that too big for 3-week-old ducklings?

If you were pressing on its stomach then throwing up as it did is very normal. Full size grit is a little large for 3 week old ducklings and there is always a chance of a duckling ingesting bedding. You mentioned this duckling being half the size of the others? Has it grown at all since you got it? In many cases when a duckling isn't growing and then starts to not do well it's "failure to thrive".

 

[saving grace]

If you were pressing on its stomach then throwing up as it did is very normal.

Hm, I didn't know that. Even if it smells terrible it can be normal?

Full size grit is a little large for 3 week old ducklings

That's what I thought. I would buy chick grit except they don't sell any around here. Do you know any alternatives?

Has it grown at all since you got it?

I got them as day-olds, so yes, it has grown a lot, just not as much as the others.


Is there anything I can do for the poor guy? Should I isolate him and give him water with electrolytes?

 

[saving grace]

Sadly the duckling isn't doing well. I isolated him with some electrolyte water. He's been drinking, but I haven't seen him eat yet. He's very lethargic, mostly sitting in one position. The ducks are usually extremely timid and the duckling is so weak he won't even run from me. When I put him back on the floor he raises his wings and slowly waddles. He has even less energy than a few hours ago.

Is he gone too far? Is this something beyond my power?

Not sure if there's anything else to do.

 

[Miss Lydia]

It’s hard to say what maybe going on. It doesn’t sound good though. Are you sure it hasn’t eaten anything else? Other than you said shavings possibly. That could cause a blockage if eating too much. Keep him warm and quiet and try and get him to drink so he doesn’t get dehydrated. How does his poop look?

 

[saving grace]

Are you sure it hasn’t eaten anything else?

He might have eaten, but if so not enough to make a dent in his dish.

Keep him warm and quiet and try and get him to drink so he doesn’t get dehydrated.

He's nice and warm. I've been getting him to drink, though I think he's been getting enough on his own.

How does his poop look?

I forgot to mention this. He's been pooping loose white stool.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Is a vet an option? Only asking because there maybe an infection and the little duckling may need some antibbiotics