Ducks ate plastic. Need recommendations

[Duck_Newb]

On their little foraging session today one of my 4.5 week old ducklings ate some plastic. One piece it ate was thin and flexible (kind of like saran wrap) smaller than my pinky joint. And another was what I assume was a piece from an old broken bucket about 1-2 mm wide and about 5mm long.

I'm not too concerned about the first piece it ate but the second. I'm not sure how old the piece was but I did find a couple pieces after bringing them back in. Those pieces broke pretty easily.

I've been monitoring both ducks and they seem fine. Their poop seems normal ranging from watery (they drank a lot today) to really dark green (switched to veggies and feed). Also noticed bubbly poop too but they've done that every so often since birth.

Looking for recommendations short of going to a vet unless it's really bad.

 

[Isaac 0]

1-3 drops per 30 grams. NOTE, the only time you could administer this orally is if you go via tube, if you use a syringe in the mouth there is a high chance of lipid pneumonia, so just spread it over their feed or treats. Offer this once.

 

[Isaac 0]

Toxicity of ethylene used to make buckets is very low, but you probably already knew that.

Correct...The main concern here is a possible puncture in the digestive tract, most likely the gizzard as it passe's thorough and the risk of any blockage that may occur.

 

[Isaac 0]

Sorry to hear you're having problems.

Do you have any mineral oil?

I might spread a few drops of that over the ones feed that you think ate the plastic, this will help expel the plastic faster, and "ease" it out along the way. Offer grit, and continue to monitor the one's feces closely. Weighing that one daily on a food scale for any sign of weight loss would not be a bad idea either. If he starts to lose weight, a visit to the vet would be advised.

 

[Duck_Newb]

Sorry to hear you're having problems.

Do you have any mineral oil?

I might spread a few drops of that over the ones feed that you think ate the plastic, this will help expel the plastic faster, and "ease" it out along the way. Offer grit, and continue to monitor the one's feces closely. Weighing that one daily on a food scale for any sign of weight loss would not be a bad idea either. If he starts to lose weight, a visit to the vet would be advised.

I don't have any mineral oil at the moment. Was actually planning to pick some up today along with some grit. Hopefully it'll be all I need. I'll give both my ducks some oil just to be on the safe side. Praying I won't need to go to the vet.

Also how much oil would you recommend putting in?

 

[Isaac 0]

Not sure what breed you have, but a four week old Pekin is going to be somewhere around four pounds at four weeks. The dose would be as followed.

Four Pounds = 1814 grams

1814/30 grams = 60 x 0.05 (drop) = 3ml or so of mineral oil over feed.

 

[Isaac 0]

I own two Rouens. I think they should be about the same as a Pekin give or take a bit.

Yeah, around there, just give 2.5ml-ish. Doesn't have to be that exact.

 

[Duck_Newb]

Update: Gave them some mineral oil and some grit. They all still seem pretty normal. And just sitting and chatting in front of their waterer per usual.

 

[Duck_Newb]

Glad to hear.

How do their feces look?

Light brown with little black flecks which I assume are what's left of the feathers they ate. And the occasional white poop.

Edit: one brownish green poop on their coop door. Not as dark as yesterday.

 

[Duck_Newb]

1-3 drops per 30 grams. NOTE, the only time you could administer this orally is if you go via tube, if you use a syringe in the mouth there is a high chance of lipid pneumonia, so just spread it over their feed or treats. Offer this once.

Thanks. I'll be sure to do that.