Icky eyes...

[ducklover15]

I have two runner drakes that seem to have the same problem with their eyes. There's lots of what I call "eye boogers" around their eyes and I'm having a hard time cleaning them off. The ducks don't have a pool outside now since the temperature has been below freezing and will remain until spring...but I take them in at least twice a week for a bath in the house.

I've been trying to hold the ducks and gently remove the gook, but it won't come off very easily and I don't want to hurt them. Has anyone had this problem and know an easy, painless way to clean it off? I'm not sure if it's an eye infection or not, but I have antibiotics for eye infections...should I try that and see if the eyes clear up?

They're normal in every other way, just icky eyes.

 

[pishposh]

Do they have a bucket of water they can get their whole heads in each day? That makes all the difference for my ducks when they get a goopy eye. We have a heated bucket that gets changed once a day and they all take turned "bathing".

I hope they are doing better soon!

 

[bubblebean11]

I read that the goo is from the saliva of the male ducks and wash cloth is the only way to get it done as far as I know

 

[Amiga]

I had ducks when I was a teen, and have been immersing myself in duck literature this year to prepare for a small flock of runners.

I agree that it is important to find a way to give the ducks free access to water that they can dunk their little heads in (all the way) several times a day. This keeps the stuff from building up and reduces the risk of infection.

My pekins and mallards always had access to at least a foot of water (we lived in Georgia at the time) and they had no health problems, certainly not gummy eyes.

There are a number of ways to keep some open water for the ducks. If you get long deep freezes, you will need to use a heater or (and this can get pricey) get really elbow-deep in engineering a waterer that will stay open using passive solar or geothermal.

My initial plan is an electric heater plate made for the job, that goes under a watering pail. Longer term, though, (I have a geeky side) I want to use solar energy and mass heat storage to make a reservoir that will stay at or above freezing. It can be done - just takes some ingenuity, and often $$$$.

Take good care of those ducks, and yourself!!

 

[ducklover15]

I have a deep heated bucket of water outside next to their heated waterer that I change everyday...maybe they're not using it? I've seen them drink out of it, but I don't usually see them dunking their heads in.

When I bring them in for their baths, I'll try to do a better cleaning job. Hopefully that will help!

Thanks for the advice! =]