My Duck is Sick

[Amiga]

You may not be able to do this, but some ag colleges will perform necropsies at low or no cost. She may have had egg yolk peritonitis, which has killed two of my runner girls over the last two years. I had necropsies done on them, so that is certain.

Aside from providing them with a healthy environment, food and water, there is apparently not much that can be done, and it can happen quickly in some cases, with little symptomatic evidence before they are too ill to save.

So sad for you. We just lost Michele about a month ago.

 

[Miss Lydia]

So sorry!

 

[Prisoc Family]

Thank you so much for that info. My husband and I looked it up and that sounds like the characteristics of what she had but not positive. Another one of our Welsh girls doesn't look great. It looks like she just soaked in the pool (which I know she didn't since we have the pool up right now). I guess we are going to just continue to keep an eye on them and see... I just hate the not knowing part.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thank you so much for that info. My husband and I looked it up and that sounds like the characteristics of what she had but not positive. Another one of our Welsh girls doesn't look great. It looks like she just soaked in the pool (which I know she didn't since we have the pool up right now). I guess we are going to just continue to keep an eye on them and see... I just hate the not knowing part.

Sounds like wet feather, I have 3 over 8 yrs old ducks who get wet feather at this time of yr. if you can give them bathing water at least once a day it make take care of itself. or after molting.

 

[Prisoc Family]

I did read up on that but they have a very clean house and their outside area is dry right now (hasn't started snowing here yet). I clean the poop out of their house once a day and change all the bedding when needed. I also keep their outside area raked. From what I read it said they get this from being in poor conditions or very wet (muddy) conditions. Can they get this in normal conditions? She does look better today. Her feathers are a bit ruffled around her neck but could that just be the time of year? We have only had these ducks since March so I'm not sure if she is just molting and this is normal. They haven't swam in about a month so maybe they are just needing a good swim??

This form has helped give so much information. Thank you so much for sharing your time and knowledge. I sure appreciate it.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Even in winter you need to provide a small cement mixing pan of water for bathing once a week would be great. Not allowing them to swim at all for a month doesnt allow them to keep themselves clean and their feathers in good shape.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I did read up on that but they have a very clean house and their outside area is dry right now (hasn't started snowing here yet). I clean the poop out of their house once a day and change all the bedding when needed. I also keep their outside area raked. From what I read it said they get this from being in poor conditions or very wet (muddy) conditions. Can they get this in normal conditions? She does look better today. Her feathers are a bit ruffled around her neck but could that just be the time of year? We have only had these ducks since March so I'm not sure if she is just molting and this is normal. They haven't swam in about a month so maybe they are just needing a good swim??

This form has helped give so much information. Thank you so much for sharing your time and knowledge. I sure appreciate it.

My older 3 girls have swimming water available to them but only one will swim, won't be too much longer before I'll be putting the pools up for the winter, but I do try to give them swim time if it gets into the low 40's on a given day. I use those heavy duty cement mixing tubs then. Ducks do need to swim as often as they can it helps keep their feather in top condition. Mine aren't kept in poor condition either I always heard it was end of season thing or from not preening and taking care of their feathers properly, when they bath they will preen and keep their feathers in top shape, Also swim time will help keep parasites off of them, well i guess you don't have to worry much about that at this time of year, but others in milder climates do, even buckets of water set around will give them enough water to take a good wash especially their faces. I bought heated buckets from TSC so I wouldn't have to bust ice of a morning and through out the day. My younger girls have never had a problem with wet feather only my older girls. I really think bathing, grooming helps.

 

[Prisoc Family]

That's really good to know. I will look for the warmest day and let them swim. I do have a bucket of water in their house so they can wash their sinuses and eyes out so I have that part covered but I did not know they needed to bath often. Like I said, I can read all I want but only time and experience will teach me everything (and the help from you and this form). Again, thank you so much for all your information.

BTW...do you feed a different feed through the winter month? I was told to feed a higher protein. I know with my other animals, I would throw them extra feed when it was cold and sometimes give them more alfalfa (more protein) but I'm not sure about the ducks since they have access to feed all the time.

 

[Miss Lydia]

That's really good to know. I will look for the warmest day and let them swim. I do have a bucket of water in their house so they can wash their sinuses and eyes out so I have that part covered but I did not know they needed to bath often. Like I said, I can read all I want but only time and experience will teach me everything (and the help from you and this form). Again, thank you so much for all your information.

BTW...do you feed a different feed through the winter month? I was told to feed a higher protein. I know with my other animals, I would throw them extra feed when it was cold and sometimes give them more alfalfa (more protein) but I'm not sure about the ducks since they have access to feed all the time.

I feed Purina Flock raiser Only because it's the only thing available here. But I do give a 7 way scratch to them all in the winter months. The corn gives them feed for extra warmth. They also get Poultry Nutri Drench in the water buckets 2X a week and I buy cabbage, romaine lettuce beets/tops during the winter. All hung up so they have to pick at it to eat it. I am also always on the lookout in the produce isle for marked down produce as long as it still looks good. And their most favorite treat of all is dried meal worms. some even have fresh but i really don't have any place in my home to do the fresh. and just started about a month ago making fermented feed for my flock, the ducks and geese aren't as crazy about it as the chickens but they do eat it also. FR has 20% protein I believe. You might try giving them a little BOSS as a snack too for added protein.