Ducks with sneezes...Treatment?

[cthrash1]

One pair of my ducks looks to be sneezing a lot or trying to clear their noses. How do I treat them? Do I use the same treatment as chickens or just let it run its course?

 

[DuckLady]

Make sure your ducks have buckets of clean water to dunk their heads in and blow out their nares (nostrils) and see if that helps.

I say buckets, because when they need the depth, buckets are easier to make sure the water is fresh and clean.

 

[cthrash1]

I don't have buckets but those 3 gallon rubber bowl looking things from TSC and a bin that is about 3 gallons and about 6" deep. Is this okay?

ETA: And I give them fresh water at least daily and most times twice a day because they mess it up so quickly. Oh yea and they are the call ducks and can barely get into the bin which is why I bought the 3 Gal rubber ones because they are just a little bit shorter than the bin. I plan on getting them a baby pool next Spring...I just got them too late in the year to get them one this year. Hope these are deep enough.

 

[DuckLady]

They need it deep enough to dunk their whole heads in.
If they can do that, it will be fine.

 

[cthrash1]

Okay thanks, I am totally new to ducks and I really do appreciate your input, I was getting worried about those two...And one more question...Is the doghouse I have in their pen okay for this winter? It has the rubber flaps but if need be I can probably make a light weight door for it(it's not wood). Am thinking of putting it on the ground and already have shavings in it. Right now it is up on a pallet set on a brick enclosure and they go underneath it to sleep on the ground...Won't go in yet.

 

[Jenski]

Hey cthrash1, do you have any Oxine? You can treat the ducks' water with 1/8 tsp. Oxine per gallon of water, and that will keep down the yuck in their water. Check out Shagbark Bantams website for more info. I got mine from First State Vet Supply. You can also mist the coop with a mixture of this (different dilution), and it helps prevent fungal infections of the respiratory system.

Oxine is a type of chlorine that breaks down into a simple salt. It is very safe for treating drinking water; it kills bacteria, viruses, and protozoa; and it has been used all over the world to clean up water supplies.

Jenski

 

[cthrash1]

Thanks Jen I'll check around here...Don't recall seeing it but wasn't looking either. Can I use this in the water on a continuous basis or is it just for treatment? Can I also use it in the chickens water.

 

[Jenski]

cthrash1, I rotate it into the drinking water (1/8 tsp per gallon) once a week as a preventive. You can use in chicken water and duck water.

The day after I change out the Oxine water, I use a probiotic in the water (MMH Immuno Charge) to replenish all the helpful bacteria that might have been killed off.

Here is the link for the quart size ~

http://www.firststatevetsupply.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=294


I just do this on an ongoing basis to keep the bacteria count down. This also cuts down on fungal issues, sour crop, etc. If I have respiratory stuff going on, I now mist the inside of the coop at bedtime with a slightly different dilution (6.5 oz. per gallon) I keep in a fine mist spray bottle.

Hope that helps. Feel free to call me if you have any more questions.