New Ancona duckling problem - swollen face, squirming on side

[burtongm]

I'm a 2-year or so lurker here, just joined up because I can't find an answer to this question. We raised 8 Ancona ducklings last year and never lost one. This year we bought day-old ducklings last Wednesday from a local farm and we noticed a problem with one. It had a swollen area around its eye, which I read could be junk from hatching, so we started warm compresses and it seemed to come down a little away from the eye, which is still closed, but there is a good-sized swollen spot behind the eye. It has also spent a lot of time lying around away from the other ducklings, and isn't able to push them out of the way to get the food and water it needs, so we moved it to its own box. It seems to be eating and drinking well and has lots of energy to peep whenever it hears someone near. It's spending a lot of time squirming around on its side, unable to right itself. I'm used to the ducks raising their heads to swallow; when this one does, it topples over sometimes. I know niacin can be an issue, but is it this early? I have some brewers yeast, but haven't added it to their starter crumble yet. Other ducklings are all energetic and running around normally.

 

[casportpony]

Welcome to BYC!

I think your duckling might have a sinus infection. Can you take it to a vet?

 

[chickens really]

I agree it a Respiratory infection...

 

[chickens really]

Also do you have deep enough water for them to Dunk their heads?...Did you buy it in this condition?

 

[burtongm]

Thanks for the responses, we're 2 hours from the nearest avian vet I can find, and I remember it being that way when we had lovebirds. Yes, it was purchased this way, our adult ducks have a pond for swimming and dunking. Since we segregated this one, it has a little 1/4 pint mason jar for its water (didn't want it to drown in a bowl). It definitely has a good appetite, and will gorge itself if we don't watch it, but still having trouble getting on its feet.

 

[Miss Lydia]

There are antibiotics you can buy at TSC Tylan being one and can buy other antibiotic on line [fish] same as others.
Maybe @ casportpony can help you with which one would be best.

Also I'd get some Poultry Nutri Drench and start giving it a little into the bill just tiny drops at a time let it swallow then again.
plus in the drinking water too.

Never shoot anything down the throat it can aspirate. a plastic bowl with a lid and a hole cut out just large enough for the lil one to stick it's head in to wash it's face you can cut hole larger as the duckling grows.