New duck hasn't been eating for days, NEED HELP!!!

[Sowshinn]

Recently, I've got an fully grown adult Muscovy duck from a wet market, which is originally going to be killed and sold. I've brought it back to my home for a few days. I sooner realised that it isn't eating the food that I've prepared for it (rice with barley and fresh vegetables, put it on a plate). I've put some rice on the floor but it doesn't seem bother them. Furthermore, the only time I've seen it drinking when I was washing its poop.

I was told by the individual who sold me the duck that he feeds rice to his ducks.
I'm worrying about it, despite not showing a sign of weakening. I just hope that it will start to eat. I'll be truly grateful if there's anyone can provide some advices or share some experiences. Much appreciated.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Get a good all flock feed, rice isn't a long term diet for a muscovy. Is it your only duck? It could be too frightened to eat by itself.

 

[Sowshinn]

It's quite hard to find it in where I live, but I'll try and look for it.

Yes, that's my only, and the first duck, I guess it's frightened as it just ran away when I approaches it, but I don't think I can have an additional duck (parent's issue, limited space )

 

[chickens really]

Pick it some grass if you can and its totally stressed out...Ducks are flock animals and need and thrive with other Ducks....Buy feed and supply water deep enough to clean its nares and eyes....Poor Duck...

 

[Sowshinn]

I understand it's stressed out, as originally, it's going to be slaughtered. As I mentioned, getting an additional duck isn't possible for me. But if it still doesn't wanna eat, is force feed a good method?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I wouldn't force feed it. It's too risky as far as causing the duck to aspirate food into it's lungs. If it was raised for meat it may not be familiar with human contact, nor being alone. Unfortunately it may never be okay being alone. Sometimes when a duck is raised by itself it can adapt but older ducks used to a flock may not. Either it will eat or if won't.

I don't want to sound mean or judgemental, but it may not be able to adapt. Give it time. It won't starve. As long as it's drinking it can go a while without any food. Keep offering it, and see how it goes. That's the best you can do for now.

 

[Sunshine Flock]

The duck is experiencing high stress and is lonely and scared. Do you have other duck friendly animals you intend to socialize her with?

As for diet, if you can't find feed locally, look up recipes for homemade duck feed. I know the nutritional requirements are very specific, but for now if you can approximate it and get her eating, that would be a good start.

Are you keeping her outside? What's her pen like? Can she free roam and swim?

 

[Sowshinn]

Good news, he started eating and drinking, apparently it was because it doesn't know where to find the food (maybe). It started to eat once I left the food plate in front of him at where it normally hang out (I placed the plate at the corner, perhaps it's not used to it). I am feeding it breadcrumbs with water kale temporarily (I know it's not very good for a duck, but it's recommended by some of the elders) and will slowly change it to the one I found on web.

To clarify: I'm keeping it at my car porch, it can walk freely. It's quite warm at night in my country, so I don't think a pen is needed, but I've placed a huge box with some dried hay inside for it. Roaming isn't possible as there are people spraying pesticide or some stupid chemical thingy out there, but I've given her a place to swim, but from what I just saw, it refused to go in. (LOL, maybe it isn't used to it)

Anyway, I would like to thank you guys for your advises, it really helps me a lot. Much appreciated.

 

[Sowshinn]

and some stray cats do get along with her quite well

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

That's great news, hopefully it starts to feel more comfortable. Can you tell if it's a male or female? I would guess male because female muscovy are pretty good at flying and would have probably escaped by now.