Help i think my dusk is sick

[LorraineM]

I have been going to come in here for 3weeks but time has just been too busy.

I bought 2 Pekin ducks approx 4weeks ago (first time i have had ducks, i have 4 chickens that are seperated from the ducks), things were going fine till about 5/6days ago.

Both were growing rapidly and very lively, but one seems to have stopped for the last 3/4 days and now seems very poorly. I noticed it more so yesterday morning 'She' is just very lethargic. She was still munching on her 'chick starter' but this morning has lost interest in eating. She seems so much lighter than the other one, even in the last couple of days. She just lays around looking sad now. The weather here is quite warm, but not too hot and they both love their pool (well my poorly one isn't interested in that now either) They both have access to clean drinking water at all times.
Unfortunately, i am unable financially, to go to a vet and i will admit i had no idea how to raise ducks before now.

(i have food questions too but will tackle them later)

Thank you

 

[Amiga]

If you have a livestock feed store nearby, you can probably get poultry vitamins. Often they come with electrolytes.

Otherwise, you can get pedialyte, unflavored, no iron, at a drugstore or grocery store.

Niacin, just plain niacin capsules, no time-release or no-flush, can be bought at drugstores or big grocery stores.

100 to 150 mg of niacin dissolved in a gallon of water, it is okay for both ducklings, and what you don't get into their waterer now can be kept in the frij for a day at least, I would think.

Poultry vitamins are dissolved in water, too. Mine call for a quarter teaspoon per gallon of water.

I will look up the pedialyte dilution. . . it is here somewhere on the Duck Forum.

 

[Amiga]

Take a look at this discussion, I think it may help you

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/370176/how-to-give-pedialyte-to-duckling

 

[Amiga]

For ducklings, supervised swim time is fine as often as you can swing it. Keep the water warmish, around 85F, and watch for signs of waterlogging or getting tired. If they don't start preening right away after bath, dry them with a dry washcloth. Make sure they get right back into a clean warm dry brooder after their bath time. Bathing is very important for them to avoid eye sinus and ear infections.

Please keep us posted. We are pulling for you all.

 

[ChicagoDucks]

Good luck! I hope they are well soon!!!

 

[LorraineM]

Dusk ?? typo... sorry, i meant Duck, which you probably figured

 

[Kevin565]

Could she have eaten anything she shouldn't have?

Have you tried giving her electrolytes and vitamins?

Has she been given niacin supplements?

 

[Amiga]

Ditto Kevin565, try vitamins and electrolytes, niacin supplement.

Keep her warm enough, not too warm. Let us know more when you can.

Sad to know she is having trouble.

 

[LorraineM]

i doubt she could have eaten anything she shouldnt have but as i have allowed them onto a small patch of grass for the last week, i can't be sure.

The rest i know nothing about ...sorry
(Have you tried giving her electrolytes and vitamins?
Has she been given niacin supplements?)

Could you help me with that please. I am going to the 'shops' shortly is there something i could buy for her ?

 

[LorraineM]

she is caged outside at night and free roam a smallish grassed area in the day.
Do you think she may have had too much sun ? They have a shelter spot to go to
but they do get some quite warmish sun till about 10.30 / 11 ish.

I have them both on my veranda today, with pond and food. Should i bring her inside and box her with blankies ?
Should i seperate them for this time ?

omgoodness