I've already lost one duck!

[SDocheff]

Two days ago I found one of my only two ducks, I raised together since they were ducklings (two years old now), dead in the their pool. Two weeks prior to that she stopped laying eggs, and then started losing feathers like crazy. Otherwise, she seemed completely healthy and normal, eating and drinking as usual. Now my lone sweet duck stopped laying and started losing HER feathers like crazy as well! I am still grieving for Buttercup, and desperate not to lose Sylvie! I had made plans to introduce another duck (6 months old from a relative's flock) to her so she wouldn't be alone, but now I'm wondering if there is some sort of illness that is killing them? One other thing, Sylvie had a long white worm coming out of her eye last week which I treated with a veterinarian powder specifically designed for eye worms, and it went away. I don't know if its related or not, but until recently I had no issues with them whatsoever.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I am so sorry to hear about Buttercup. That had to of been heartbreaking finding her in the pool.
Losing feathers like crazy and not laying sounds more like molting than a sickness. You didn't notice anything else going on with Buttercup before her death besides molting and not laying? off her feed and spending time on the nest where she laid her eggs? discharge from eyes nares or vent?
Hopefully, Sylvie is just going through molt since it is that time of year.
As for introducing another duck that would be a good idea since I'm sure Sylvie misses her buddy, but first other than losing feathers not laying and the eye worm that you treated is she showing any other problems?

 

[SDocheff]

I am so sorry to hear about Buttercup. That had to of been heartbreaking finding her in the pool.
Losing feathers like crazy and not laying sounds more like molting than a sickness. You didn't notice anything else going on with Buttercup before her death besides molting and not laying? off her feed and spending time on the nest where she laid her eggs? discharge from eyes nares or vent?
Hopefully, Sylvie is just going through molt since it is that time of year.
As for introducing another duck that would be a good idea since I'm sure Sylvie misses her buddy, but first other than losing feathers not laying and the eye worm that you treated is she showing any other problems?

She shows no other signs of illness and the eye worm is gone. She eats, drinks, and swims like normal. This is our second year together and I never went through molting with them before, nor had any illness. Buttercup did have a foot injury last year but I nursed her through it and she was fine for more than a year! Thank you for your response and help! I am inexperienced with ducks!

 

[ruthhope]

Definitely sounds like molting, Docheff. I am sorry for your loss of Buttercup. We won't know what caused that without an autopsy, but Sylvie sounds healthy.

Please consider getting two companions for sylvie so that you aren't left with a lonely duck if something should happen to one duck. You may be able to find adult ducks for adoption at your local Humane Society chapter or your local branch of the ASPCA. Or look on Craig's list or Facebook Market Place

 

[Miss Lydia]

She shows no other signs of illness and the eye worm is gone. She eats, drinks, and swims like normal. This is our second year together and I never went through molting with them before, nor had any illness. Buttercup did have a foot injury last year but I nursed her through it and she was fine for more than a year! Thank you for your response and help! I am inexperienced with ducks!

I agree getting Sylvie a couple of friends would be perfect. They always do so much better if they have a flock in their lives. Let us know how it goes.

 

[SDocheff]

My step daughter is looking to rehome some ducks, but I was only going to take one for Sylvie because she is used to just one more, and I didn't want them to gang up on her since they were raised together. Or is that not an issue with ducks like with chickens?

 

[Miss Lydia]

The only problem I see with just bringing one home is if this was to happen again either from illness or predator. Then you are left with a lone duck again.
Best way to introduce is by setting up your new ducks where they can see Sylvie and she can see them this way they have time to adjust. Then what might work is putting one of the new ducks in with Sylvie and let them get use to each other then bring in the last one. after a couple of days.

 

[Vicktoria Giuergia]

Miss Lydia: If you are out there>I have a limping duck. Can"t find anything wrong w/him. It started about 3 days ago. He would be laying down, but have the one leg to the side not underneath like usual. Then today he's barely able to walk. He's in the smaller pen w/four others. I'm like Docheff. I don't want to try to catch him if it's going to make him worse. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
'

 

[Miss Lydia]

You really need to catch him and do a good examination. check for broken bones, unusual heat or swelling. Look at the bottom of his foot to rule out bumble. None of mine like to be picked up either but sometimes you just have to.