Is my duck okay?

[farmin4myboys]

Hi I have two Pekins about 2 years old and a Mallard that has recently started flying away during the day and coming back to the duck house every evening. One of my Pekins has recently started to have explosive loose stools. I only feed them some duck pellets at night to bring them into the duck house at night. Otherwise they have acres and a huge pond to feed on. I am worried about my gal's health and also I am about the have 3 runners introduced to our mini farm and want to keep them well. Any advice?

 

[ducklover87]

Is there any other symptoms besides loose stool? Ducks eat a lot of different things especially bugs and what not so it could just be something she's eaten.

 

[duckmomma92]

Your pekins fly??

 

[farmin4myboys]

Nothing else she is behaving normally, active, talkative and eager to get to the pond every morning.

 

[farmin4myboys]

No but I am sure they wish they could. My mallard drake has found a girlfriend at the pond next door and leaves in the morning to get her and brings her to our pond. Then he comes in for the night with the Pekins and she goes back to her pond. She is a wild duck so I guess I was wondering if the interaction with the wild duck could have brought something to my duck.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Nothing else she is behaving normally, active, talkative and eager to get to the pond every morning.

Great news!! and

 

[farmin4myboys]

Thanks for the warm welcome

 

[Amiga]

It is always possible that wild birds carry diseases into a flock. My approach is to try to keep my ducks as healthy as possible. Sounds like you are doing a good job so far.

I would give her (and the flock) probiotics. The poultry vitamin mix I have includes electrolytes and probiotics. You could also put a tablespoon of plain yogurt with active cultures in a pint of water.

Maybe a few rolled oats in with her other feed for more fiber, but she's probably getting plenty. Just an idea.

 

[farmin4myboys]

It is always possible that wild birds carry diseases into a flock. My approach is to try to keep my ducks as healthy as possible. Sounds like you are doing a good job so far.

I would give her (and the flock) probiotics. The poultry vitamin mix I have includes electrolytes and probiotics. You could also put a tablespoon of plain yogurt with active cultures in a pint of water.

Maybe a few rolled oats in with her other feed for more fiber, but she's probably getting plenty. Just an idea.

Thank you for the advice. I really appreciate it. These are my first ducks and I am pretty attached, would hate to see them sick

 

[Amiga]

Thank you for the advice. I really appreciate it. These are my first ducks and I am pretty attached, would hate to see them sick

I think I understand

The BYC Duck Forum has been a great source of information and support for me for over three years. Please let us know how things go with your girl. Sometimes ducks will hide illness until it's too late to help them. So good on you for paying attention!

As you know already, runners and Pekins have different styles. Enjoy them all!