Muscovy Ducks

[lucille6624]

I had 10 Muscovy Females. I had two just randomly die yesterday, one today and three more that are very ill. I have no idea what is wrong. They were all perfectly healthy on Sunday. No signs of stress. They eat the same food that all the other ducks eat, sleep in the same barn. This is so devastating.
I stated them on a charcoal water regiment just in case they ate something wrong. Do I need to request an autopsy on the Ducks?

 

[Rhodeislandsilkie]

If you really are concerned that your other ducks might catch this disease, I would do so a neceopsy. If you live in Southern California it might have been Newcastle’s disease. A disease that is common right now. Sorry for your loss btw.

 

[The Dapper Duck]

That does seem strange. What are they eating? How much? How old are they? Have there been any changes in their yard/enclosure? I would bring the sick ones in or have a vet come out and check on them. Have you picked them up and felt their body to see if they feel healthy or if they are losing muscle?

 

[lucille6624]

They are free range but inside a two acre fenced off area. We rescue so we are not certain of their ages but I’m assuming at least 2 years and older. They are housed with all of our other ducks. Everyone eats the same protein based feed mix we have used for two years. No other ducks, chickens or geese are sick. Everyone was healthy on Monday but Tuesday morning I found one dead Muscovy. They are dead this morning.

 

[casportpony]

Very sorry for your losses. What does the poop of the sick ones looks like? If you can, I do think it would be best to have a necropsy done ASAP to rule out this:
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poultry/duck-viral-enteritis/overview-of-duck-viral-enteritis

 

[DuckyDonna]

If you were feeding from a new bag of food could it be moldy?

 

[lucille6624]

We have a vet a few counties over that is going to autopsy a couple of the ducks. We quarantined them all on Monday and started monitoring all of the animals closely. The vets best guess at this point is Duck Viral Enteritis. It’s quick and deadly.
Since we do not allow human visitors, we are assuming the virus was brought in by wild ducks that fly in to visit.
We’ve only been rescuing for five years but never experienced anything this devastating. It’s been heartbreaking. Thank you all for your help and advice.

 

[DuckyDonna]

Please keep us posted on the results of the necropsy!

 

[AquaDuck]

Oh no, how terrible! Are there any cure or medicine? Crossing fingers the other ducks will make it.