Losing entire flock to disease - help?

[Duck Hill]

My friend is losing her entire flock to disease. At first symptoms looked like possible botulism. Listless sick duck, after a few hours difficulty walking, then seizures, then death.

Of 17 birds, 3-4 died. Flock was moved to other side of yard. Everything was scrubbed, bleached, cleaned, etc. Plastic pond was removed; replaced by scrubbed drinking buckets changed several times daily. 2-3 days without any deaths, then 5-6 more fell sick. Sick birds were moved to back porch. All died within a 24-48 hours of falling sick. Pen was washed down, top inch of soil removed, duck houses removed. Buckets bleached. Two more are sick tonight.

A duck will be taken to the state lab for necropsy. In the meantime... Has anyone dealt with anything similar? Any ideas to help the remaining birds?

 

[True Patriot]

Has the stock of feed been discarded and replace with fresh? I'm not a duck expert, but contaminated/ moldy feed could be a problem. I know a lot of fowl are sensitive to bad feed.

 

[True Patriot]

@WVduckchick may be able to help

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Has she recently introduced new birds into her flock?

 

[Duck Hill]

No new ducks. She purchased new food shortly after the first ones died. Thank you for responding. I appreciate it.

 

[Duck Hill]

I must say I am scared. The vet at the state lab says that if it is viral, the three blocks or so that separate her flock from my flock might not be enough...

So far my flock is absolutely normal, and I am staying away from her house, talking to her by phone. I will use extreme care tomorrow when I pick up the bird for the state lab. I will stay in the street, and she will drop her carefully wrapped bird into a plastic bag that I will immediately close... Then I will place it, in ice, in a disposable container for the two hour drive down.

She is taking it hard, and so am I, because her entire flock was from my flock and I had hand-raised several of them. They were all pets.

 

[duckduckgose]

cange food and give them milk!

 

[007Sean]

I must say I am scared. The vet at the state lab says that if it is viral, the three blocks or so that separate her flock from my flock might not be enough...

So far my flock is absolutely normal, and I am staying away from her house, talking to her by phone. I will use extreme care tomorrow when I pick up the bird for the state lab. I will stay in the street, and she will drop her carefully wrapped bird into a plastic bag that I will immediately close... Then I will place it in ice in a disposable container for the two hour drive down.

She is taking it hard, and so am I, because her entire flock was from my flock and I had hand-raised several of them. They were all pets.

When you pick up the bird, you may want to have some paper towels or a rag soaked in bleach to wipe down the plastic bag, will help to prevent contamination. Also wouldn't hurt to use latex or plastic gloves while wipping it down. Then place the gloves, wipes in a bag for disposal.

 

[MissChick@dee]

The bottom of your shoes can carry diseases and clothing. You should strip down and sanitized yourself.
Better safe than sorry. Best wishes

 

[Duck Hill]

I plan to be across the road from her house and will not go on her property so should not pick up anything on my shoes. I will wipe my shoes down with alcohol - good idea. I will also spray the plastic bag with bleach or alcohol. Good ideas. And... I don't plan on bringing any of my own healthy ducks into my car till I find out what it was. Hmmm. I could tie the container to the roof rather than putting it in the car, but I think that might be going overboard.