and I’m not sure what her ailment might be. This morning, she didn’t jump up to get breakfast. She had made a bed in the middle of the pen overnight, or at least that is where she was resting first thing this AM. She didn’t want breakfast, although she did drink some water. I had to go to work, and I hoped that she was just getting a slow start. When I got home, she was resting again. She did get up and go into the pool, where she is currently. I don’t know if she ate while I was gone, but she isn’t currently hungry. She is still drinking. We were able to catch her, and I did a quick exam. No evidence of being egg-bound (I’m not actually sure that she’s ever layed an egg). No sign of any injuries. No sign of parasites. Her crop feels empty, or at least not impacted. She has been closing her eyes off and on, which seems like a sign of general discomfort. She is swimming around the pool and drinking. No coughing or sneezing. No discharge from eyes or nose. No limping. Daphne, her sister, is acting 100% healthy. Daphne does seem to notice that her sister isn’t herself. She tried to mount her in the pool (or tried to drown her?!). I separated them, but apparently Daphne found her way back in to her sister. It is very hot out today, so I don’t want to shut them away too early. I’m outside baby-sitting.
I am worried about separating them fully, because they are the only two ducks, and they’ve been inseparable up to this point.
In general, both girls are undersocialized. We adopted them as adults. While they know where the food comes from, any handling causes a lot of stress.
Yesterday, Margie seemed normal, although, looking back, maybe she was a little slower than usual?
So, I’m definitely worried.
Any ideas as to cause or treatment? These are both adults (2+ years) with no exposure to other birds (besides random small songbirds that visit their pen). Their pen is kept clean. Inside, I use pine shavings as a substrate with straw on top. No recent change in bedding or diet. I feed a duck layer pellet with added oyster shells and mealworms as treats. They also forage outside. I can’t promise that she didn’t eat something random, although I have no ideas what that something random could be.
As I sit here, she is still in the pool. Floating about seems to comfort her right now. She isn’t usually much of a swimmer.
I’m at a loss.
I am worried about separating them fully, because they are the only two ducks, and they’ve been inseparable up to this point.
In general, both girls are undersocialized. We adopted them as adults. While they know where the food comes from, any handling causes a lot of stress.
Yesterday, Margie seemed normal, although, looking back, maybe she was a little slower than usual?
So, I’m definitely worried.
Any ideas as to cause or treatment? These are both adults (2+ years) with no exposure to other birds (besides random small songbirds that visit their pen). Their pen is kept clean. Inside, I use pine shavings as a substrate with straw on top. No recent change in bedding or diet. I feed a duck layer pellet with added oyster shells and mealworms as treats. They also forage outside. I can’t promise that she didn’t eat something random, although I have no ideas what that something random could be.
As I sit here, she is still in the pool. Floating about seems to comfort her right now. She isn’t usually much of a swimmer.
I’m at a loss.