Ducklings with foot problems. Help?

[cochins1088]

I say it couldn't hurt to try some kind of fungal ointment. I think I'd take them off of the straw and put them on pine shaving, it's absorbs so much better and stays drier. of course with ducks it needs to be refreshed often. to keep it dry.

Makes me think some kind of infection. But it doesn't look like it's running, maybe try some kind of antibiotic salve like tripel antibiotic or neo sporin soak their lil feet good in some warm epsom salt water then pat dry and slather on the salve. do this in the eve. when you put them to bed so they hopefully aren't getting their feet wet and wash it off. and I don't know what your temps are in Minn. but even at 5 weeks they need to be in a warm draft free dry place.

I'm not worried about the temperatures. They've been out there since they were 2 weeks old and they've never appeared cold. They look perfectly happy.

I'll try to find pine shavings. We've never used them before because we get the hay for free. I add fresh hay daily and I keep their area as dry as possible.

I think I'll try soaking and wrapping the worst feet and if it helps, I'll do it to them all. I just wish I knew what's causing this.

Is it possible that it was something from the shipping? I noticed cracks in the pads of their feet when they were very young.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'm not worried about the temperatures. They've been out there since they were 2 weeks old and they've never appeared cold. They look perfectly happy.

I'll try to find pine shavings. We've never used them before because we get the hay for free. I add fresh hay daily and I keep their area as dry as possible.

I think I'll try soaking and wrapping the worst feet and if it helps, I'll do it to them all. I just wish I knew what's causing this.

Is it possible that it was something from the shipping? I noticed cracks in the pads of their feet when they were very young.

After soaking why not try triple antibiotic on a few and then a fungal ointment on a few more and see which helps or if either do. I seem to remember some one else posting about their ducklings having cracked feet when they just got them. How about your humidity? I know when the humidity is very dry here I even get cracked skin on my hands.

 

[bribre]

I had the same problem in my 3 duckling... I put them in the bath tub for about 30min each night for a week or so. Also I was feeding them chick starter and someone told me to give them a higher protein food so I did that and put some browsers yeast in it. They all eventually held up but one still has a limp. Also I'm thinking this could be from bed breeding not sure though but my drake had one angle wing and the one that is still limpings wings are both angle winged... That drake had to go!! Hoping for the best for your baby's!!

 

[cochins1088]

After soaking why not try triple antibiotic on a few and then a fungal ointment on a few more and see which helps or if either do. I seem to remember some one else posting about their ducklings having cracked feet when they just got them. How about your humidity? I know when the humidity is very dry here I even get cracked skin on my hands.

Humidity is definitely low. I also get cracked skin. If I run the incubator dry this time of year, humidity stays around 9%.

I wonder if their feet cracked because of the dry air and maybe became infected from walking on poop. I don't know, but I don't think dry air is the cause alone. 3 of the ducks have very normal looking feet, but the other 10 have large hard lumps.

And when I said wrap, I meant wrap with antibiotic ointment. I'll go to the store to look for a fungal ointment tomorrow.

 

[cochins1088]

I had the same problem in my 3 duckling... I put them in the bath tub for about 30min each night for a week or so. Also I was feeding them chick starter and someone told me to give them a higher protein food so I did that and put some browsers yeast in it. They all eventually held up but one still has a limp. Also I'm thinking this could be from bed breeding not sure though but my drake had one angle wing and the one that is still limpings wings are both angle winged... That drake had to go!! Hoping for the best for your baby's!!

Did your duckling's feet heal? None of mine are limping. They just have hard cracked foot pads.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Humidity is definitely low. I also get cracked skin. If I run the incubator dry this time of year, humidity stays around 9%.

I wonder if their feet cracked because of the dry air and maybe became infected from walking on poop. I don't know, but I don't think dry air is the cause alone. 3 of the ducks have very normal looking feet, but the other 10 have large hard lumps.

And when I said wrap, I meant wrap with antibiotic ointment. I'll go to the store to look for a fungal ointment tomorrow.

hard to say but the humidity could be a part of it, let us know how it goes once you start treatment. do they seem to have trouble walking like it's bothering them? painful?

 

[cochins1088]

hard to say but the humidity could be a part of it, let us know how it goes once you start treatment. do they seem to have trouble walking like it's bothering them? painful?

They don't limp, but they don't like me touching their feet and I've noticed that they have been walking less. So yes, I believe it's bothering them.

 

[cochins1088]

By the way Miss Lydia, if memory serves me correct, was it you that raised a goose with ducks? Celtics told me I should ask you about it. I'm in the process of trying to find a gosling companion for my little Sebastopol girl, but many times it has crossed my mind to just raise her with my ducks and chickens. Feel free to send me a pm.

 

[BarnGoddess01]

Hey Miss Lydia! Good to see you again!!! Should have known it would be ducks that would draw you back into my sphere.

Hope all is well in your world!

 

[fowlman01]

It looks like callouses to me. A fungal med would not hurt anything to be sure.

Walt