New ducks hurt and neglected

[FloweredHemlock]

Just got a duck from a distant friend/co-worker and.... Shes in rough shape. Shes got an odd dent in her neck, and what might be bumble foot. I can't get near or touch her with out her freaking out and risk hurting her more, her feathers are chipped and dirty, her quack sounds raspy and not in a good way like if she were a male. Though, I'm not 100% sure it's a girl, Ill get a picture of her tomorrow to see if anyone knows better, this is my first duck.
Shes been neglected and abused, and is absolutely terrified of people. I can't even hold my hand out, no food enticed her, she just flattened against the back of the crate or in her food bowl. I don't want to scare her an make her worse, she deserves so much better.

 

[Papaye]

Hi.

Poor duck...

...Waiting for the pictures - and more details from you if possible? -, but for the time being...

► I would start by giving her Apple Cider Vinegar.
That's what I do for every bird I bring home!

To do it, you put : 1 tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar per liter of water.
⚠ ⚠ ⚠ In a PLASTIC waterer (big enough for the duck to plunge her head) : NEVER put Vinegar in a metal waterer, or you will poison your bird...!! ⚠ ⚠ ⚠

Duration : 24 to 48 hours.

► I would also mix some herbs - such as Thyme and/or Mint - with her food.

(What do you feed her, exactly?)

► I would bring her a duck friend that SPEAKS THE SAME LANGUAGE AS HER!!

Meaning that : if your duck is a Muscovy, you have to find another Muscovy for her.
But if she is from a breed descended from the Mallard, you have to find another duck that is also from a breed descended from the Mallard...!!

► I would not overwhelm her.

If you think her condition is not so severe that it needs to be treated right away : bring her food and water, but otherwise, let her alone for a few days, or she will keep feeling too scared to healthily rest.

(And until you find her a friend : give her a mirror so she can see her reflection, and thus feel comforted by it!)

► I would give her a lot of straw.

Ducks love clean straw, so it would certainly help (her mental health) if she could lie on it...

► I would give her a mean to bath.

Be it a pool, or just a bucket... whatever is going on with her plumage will be fixed once she is molting; but still, bathing will certainly help maintain a healthy plumage!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Give her time. Thank you for rescuing her.

Do you have any Poultry Cell? Add it to her water.

 

[ruthhope]

Thank you for rescuing this poor duck.

Its understandable why the duck is terrified having been neglected and then moved homes. I agree that a friend that speak the same language will be needed if not immediately, in the near future when convalescing. A female pekin or muscovy depending on what yours is.

I always start sick or malnourished ducks off on Rooster Booster Poultry cell in their drinking water.

Any duck from poor circumstances needs deworming. I use Safeguard 10% for goats, given orally for 5 days and then another dose a week later. I use 10mg or 0.1ml per lb duck weight as its easy to calculate but 13 mg per lb is the upper safe dose. See:
https://poultrydvm.com/drugs/fenbendazole#google_vignette

Or ivermectin:
https://poultrydvm.com/drugs/ivermectin#google_vignette


Safeguard for Goats is available with out prescription from Amazon.
Please note that a higher dose of Safe-guard is often quoted on BYC, but the dose quoted is the dose for goats not ducks. I prefer to be guided by PoultryDVM

Ivermectin ought to be available from Tractor Supply, but its never been available at my TSC in a suitable preparation for ducks [ie in a liquid form] when I have looked!!!