Just adopted ducks in horrible condition

[sylviethecochin]

Epsom salts are a laxative, and ducks drink obsessively. Anyone ever tried adding spices or something bitter to the water, to prevent their drinking it?

I'm thinking individual soaks of six paranoid ducks can't be easy, but if you could just herd them into the soaking pan, and leave them be for thirty minutes, twice a day, it would be much easier.

So has anyone ever tried it?

 

[ChickenLover08100]

best of luck !!!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Nope never done joint soaks before just individual.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Might could get away in some kind of deep tub so they can’t jump out with just enough water to cover their feet. If they are kind of crowded in it they might not be able to drink the water?

 

[Isaac 0]

Might could get away in some kind of deep tub so they can’t jump out with just enough water to cover their feet. If they are kind of crowded in it they might not be able to drink the water?

I believe this one guy, Would put his ducks in a kiddy pool filled with Epsom saltwater, then put field wire around the cage so they couldn’t get out, The water was shallow enough so the ducks couldn’t drown, but deep enough so their legs would be able to soak in the magnesium. As far as making them not drink the water, I have no clue.

 

[chickens really]

You can try this if you like? Fill the kiddie pool and provide for the day. Let them wash up and bath. Use soft bedding like sand out in the Run and pine shavings in the house.
The feet might just be badly calloused and not have anything foreign causing real issues. Hopefully they heal up over time..

 

[krunchykat]

hearing this makes me want to gag. you should report her like right now. 30 in the house, 175 on the property... if my numbers add up right that is about 205 birds!!!! i never would want to visit her house. do you know if they just run free around her house or are they in some sort of pen? either way is disgusting... but yet i feel a little bad for her. does she have a name for some of her birds?

I didn't notice her using any names with her birds but she seemed to be blind to just how poor their living conditions and health are.

Surely you don't mean the "house" as in where she lives right?

Yes, in the house where she lives. I would guess they are all in pens.

Yesterday I booted them from the coop and made them stay outside for a while. I told them they needed to start learning how to be ducks but they just looked at me like I was going to eat them.

They are in a run with cypress mulch and leaves so no stomping in mud all day. When it started raining they had no idea what was happening. I left them alone for a while and when I checked on them they were actually preening and a couple were in the baby pool so they are starting to figure things out. By the end of the day they were already looking cleaner and healthier. This morning both groups of ducks seem to be more relaxed with each other and the new ducks came out of the coop on their own.

I figure I'll give them another day to adjust before I start with bumblefoot treatments. That also gives me another day to try to find all the supplies I need to treat so many feet for days on end since panic buying has essentially wiped stores out.

 

[krunchykat]

I believe this one guy, Would put his ducks in a kiddy pool filled with Epsom saltwater, then put field wire around the cage so they couldn’t get out, The water was shallow enough so the ducks couldn’t drown, but deep enough so their legs would be able to soak in the magnesium. As far as making them not drink the water, I have no clue.

This is basically what I'm thinking. I can't imagine the Epsom salt water would taste good enough that they would continue drinking it after getting a taste but I guess we'll just have to see.

 

[Isaac 0]

This is basically what I'm thinking. I can't imagine the Epsom salt water would taste good enough that they would continue drinking it after getting a taste but I guess we'll just have to see.

You could try putting spices in it like @sylviethecochin suggested, Just don't be surprised if they come out looking red .

 

[Miss Lydia]

Candles for a little ambiance!