Just adopted ducks in horrible condition

[NatJ]

Anyone ever tried adding spices or something bitter to the water, to prevent their drinking it?

Don't bother with hot pepper--apparently it doesn't taste hot to birds, only to mammals. (That's why people sometimes add it to bird seed, because it doesn't bother the birds but deters the squirrels.)

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

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.

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.

That reminds me to the five ducks i had to take back from my neighbors. They were actually afraid of the water bowl and it took several days before they started to clean themselves and a full week before the little girl took a bath - after making sure that this large duck-eating humon is nowhere around…
They will figure everything out, your other ducks will teach them quickly what to do with a drake in the pool, where you store the treats and how to get through that fence into the tomato-patch. And they will start to trust you as your ducks do.

 

[DuckyDonna]

Don't bother with hot pepper--apparently it doesn't taste hot to birds, only to mammals. (That's why people sometimes add it to bird seed, because it doesn't bother the birds but deters the squirrels.)

we used to put the whole huge Sam's club size cayenne pepper jar into each gallon of bottom paint when we had our charter boat. It stopped barnacles from growing on the bottom of the boat.

 

[DiYMama540]

My oh my...those are some of the worst bumbles I've seen!! My heart is breaking for the animals left there!!

 

[Thunderduck9]

Why is this idiot not being reported to animal protection agency or some other animal protective service,this is discussing that this goes on,this A-HOLE is lucky they don’t live by me.

 

[ChickenLover08100]

Just got home about an hour ago from moving the kiddo out of campus housing. Checked on them and I think they haven't left the coop all day. This is how I found them.
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We did get 2 eggs but I didn't collect them yet. I kinda forgot in the controlled chaos of getting a better look at them and taking pictures. They did eat a little and the picked out all of the mealworms I added to the food this morning to give them a protein boost. I mixed layer pellets with all flock pellets and added nutritional yeast. I plan on adding some nutridrench to their water this evening when everyone gets shut in.

The poor Pekin is the one in the worst condition he has what looks like a blood blister and another wound on his bill. His feathers are broken and ragged and his poor feet make me want to cry.
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THAT'S INSANE HORRIBLE OWNERS

im so so sorry about him best of luck

 

[krunchykat]

Hit a snafu with trying to get supplies to treat the bumblefoot. I started coughing and running a fever yesterday. Doc said I didn't meet the requirements to get tested for coronavirus and thought that I could have a mild upper respiratory infection draining and settling into bronchitis. He gave me antibiotics and said that if it didn't help by Monday or if I get worse to come back early next week because they'll be getting a decent shipment of tests. So now my entire house is on quarantine until Thursday at the earliest. I don't have enough epsom salt to make even one good foot soak. I have a friend who said she would try to grab things for us tomorrow if needed so hopefully she can find everything we need.

On a good note the ducks seem to be acclimating to backyard duck life and are no longer afraid to come out of the coop. They got the chance to free range in the backyard for a couple of hours and really enjoyed themselves.

I did call the county sheriff on the woman I got the ducks from since they don't have animal control and left a message with some deputy. Of course I haven't heard back yet but hopefully someone will go investigate soon.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I’m so sorry your sick hopefully it isn’t corona. But that’s awful you have to be quarantined till next Thursday. Hopefully your friend can help.

 

[iluvsedward]

This is crazy... she needs to have those poor animals taken, i hope the authorities step up. Makes me worried about who i sell to

 

[DiYMama540]

Hit a snafu with trying to get supplies to treat the bumblefoot. I started coughing and running a fever yesterday. Doc said I didn't meet the requirements to get tested for coronavirus and thought that I could have a mild upper respiratory infection draining and settling into bronchitis. He gave me antibiotics and said that if it didn't help by Monday or if I get worse to come back early next week because they'll be getting a decent shipment of tests. So now my entire house is on quarantine until Thursday at the earliest. I don't have enough epsom salt to make even one good foot soak. I have a friend who said she would try to grab things for us tomorrow if needed so hopefully she can find everything we need.

On a good note the ducks seem to be acclimating to backyard duck life and are no longer afraid to come out of the coop. They got the chance to free range in the backyard for a couple of hours and really enjoyed themselves.

I did call the county sheriff on the woman I got the ducks from since they don't have animal control and left a message with some deputy. Of course I haven't heard back yet but hopefully someone will go investigate soon.

Get well soon!! To you and your ducks!!