My drake is not looking very well.

[CityChicker]

I'm sorry, but I agree as well. We have fed Layer feed to literally hundreds of drakes over nearly 30 years and never had a single problem. Most of the commercial farms I have worked with (actually all of them) allow the drakes to eat layer as well. Not "Layer" per se as most custom mix feed, but similar levels of calcium. The hens are not fed or supplemented separately. Layer is not "toxic" to drakes. In reading the symptoms, that would be the last thing I would suspect. I would worm for internal and external parasites to start with and also do as destinduck suggested and check the oil gland.

 

[katharinad]

I find that interesting about the layer feed. Especially after I read in Holderread's book that it is not good for drakes. Holderread is one of the most foremost person when it comes to ducks. I had ducks a long while ago in Germany. Back then they did not have layer feed, so we always put oyster shell on the side. Back then the stuff was really smelly too. I restarted by duck love not to long ago, so I did a lot of reading to refresh my knowledge. I was amazed how much I still remembered. Anyway, I've always kept mine on grower/developer and put oyster shell on the side. We have a lot of knowledgeable people on board, so don't just take my word. I did come in from a rational end, analyzing the whole thing. I'm a technical person with an engineering degree, so I analyze stuff first. What I suggested is good for the bird, but you should also listen to them. I did look into two books for illnesses and they also suggest that it may be worms among more serious things. The gland thing may just be a side effect of the bird not being well. Go to the feed store and get a dewormer to cover all ends. I hope your drake will be better soon.

 

[toadbriar]

Could he have swallowed a coin or something like that? I seem to recall a few threads where that happened, and the symptoms seemed very vague because it was technically metal poisoning as the digestive system dissolved the coins.

I hope it's not that, but I wanted to throw it out there.

 

[Soose]

Thanks to all, again.

Anything is possible in terms of what it turns out to be. George's oil gland seems clean and fine. No sign of external parasites. He's sounding perkier and looking better after two days now in the garage, eating the Raiser, greens and peas and boiled egg, on his heating pad (placed safely under the flooring of the crate which is bedded with chips) My husband is rather jealous, since I woun't allow an electric blanket in our bedroom, but George has one ;p

After spending quality time with George and re-reading H's book on health and comparing symptoms there are atleast three possiblilties, the dreaded Coccidiosis (I think we keep a clean pen and yard, though), hardware disease, parasites or nutritional deficiencies. Not that any are desireable, but I'm hoping for the later. I do notice that his breathing is a bit labored. Possibly because of his depleated state? There is no discharge from the nose or eyes. We're keeping him quiet, and visiting often. He showed no signs of wanting to visit the flock, even though one of the girls is brought in regularly to deal with her bumble (getting much better, thank goodness).
-How much time would you think I should allow to see signs of improvement if it is nutritional deficiency?
-Then I'll move on to parasites.
-Is there any definative way of knowing if George has swallowed something he shouldn't have?
Again, everyone else seems fine, so far, fingers crossed.


It feels like me entire day is spent treating ducks these days. Thank goodness this is a long holiday weekend!

All of your comments are thoughtful and I'm grateful for them.

S

 

[katharinad]

I'm glad to hear he is getting better. I would keep him in the garage until his weight is back up, and that is also how long I would keep him on supplements. Sometimes ducks can get ill, you pamper them, they get back to healthy, and you may never knew what was wrong with them in the first place. I've also noticed that my drake will step back and lets the hens eat first.

 

[jmc]

Quote:
I have to agree with destinduck. Regardless of what type of poultry is kept, layer is fed to ducks chickens turkeys and pretty much every other type without consequence. It is not possible to provide 2 seperate types of feed and expect the males to eat from one, and the females to only eat the other. While there are some feeds that are more suitable for different purposes, layer will not cause issues in a otherwise healthy drake eating a ballanced diet of fresh vegetation, freeranging, bugs insects and layer as a maintanence feed.

x 2. the calcium basically passes right through the males, actually. a lifelong chemist and developer of duck feed is my source. not to mention my constant experience............

 

[aduckstolemyheart]

Sorry to hijack but I have to ask, how do you guys keep them from eating the layer? I keep bowls of each out for them, layer and reg. crumbles, and a small bowl of oyster shells. Do you guys actually separate the hens and drakes? I really want to keep mine all together, but I worry about the boys eating the oyster shells, or layer feed.

 

[katharinad]

I don't buy any layer feed at all. Just regular and oyster shell on the side. You are right you cannot control what bowls they use at all.

 

[aduckstolemyheart]

Thanks Katharinad! That's pretty much what I figured, but I had to make sure there was some secret I was not privy to! lol I have been thinking of doing the same, just feeding regular crumbles and shells.

 

[lovesduckies]

i hope your drake feels better.

my drake was on layer pellets with my hens for a long time too and nothing ever happened to him.