Help! How to give pills

[caymusjordan]

We need to give Chips three pills every 12 hours. Last night I cut the larger ones in half and stuffed them into peas...I thought it went OK. This morning, Chips spit out at least 3 of the 4 1/2's of antibiotic, I assume I got the other in her since I didn't see it come out.

Does anyone know a better way to give pills to ducks? She is not the best about being held, I don't want to stress her too much either.

 

[AltonaAcres]

I'm not sure about ducks, but with chickens, I just break up the pill (they are actually more like tablets) and mix the pieces into a handful of scratch. The pieces of tablet look a lot like pieces of corn so my chickens eat it easily.

 

[DuckyDonna]

@Miss Lydia know how!

 

[slordaz]

you can always crush the pill your going to give her and then dip it in like a chunk of watermelon but you'd have to get her by herself or the others would want to take it , I usually ask for liquid version if possible for my chickens

 

[casportpony]

The way that works best for me is to give them orally. Mine don't like being held either, but for me I would rather be 100% sure they get the medication, so that is how I do it. I think @Miss Lydia says that wrapping them in a towel helps keep them still and calm.

Here is a thread with pictures and videos:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/how-to-give-pills-to-ducks.1246505/#post-19998436

 

[Wolfefarmyard]

I would dissolve the antibiotics into water and then syringe feed it to them.

I’ve done this once before and it worked.

If it’s a tablet, crush it up and then mix it with a bit of water or if it’s a capsule, empty it into some water and then syringe it into his mouth.

Good luck!

 

[katiebrock]

Good luck. I have not had to do this yet. I wonder if giving pills to ducks or children is harder!

 

[Miss Lydia]

When I had to give my Runner her antibiotic pills I had to learn real
Fast how. Actually once you get the hang of it it’s pretty easy. I wrapped her in a towel and sat down an held her between my knees so I could have both hands to open her bill once I got the bill open I slipped it down on the left side facing her actually her right side.

 

[Runner duck mom]

They also make pill injectors for dogs/ cats that would probably work. They are thinner than a pencil and a good diameter for duck mouths.
https://www.chewy.com/vetone-pet-pi...iwqZquw6D9DlKmzoH3Pgdq4hIPCAp7hAaAkApEALw_wcB

 

[casportpony]

They also make pill injectors for dogs/ cats that would probably work. They are thinner than a pencil and a good diameter for duck mouths.
https://www.chewy.com/vetone-pet-pi...iwqZquw6D9DlKmzoH3Pgdq4hIPCAp7hAaAkApEALw_wcB

That could work very well!