Hi All,
Yesterday about midday I noticed my drake was making an odd whistling noise and not chasing his girls. I found he had mud plugged in both nostrils and was breathing through his mouth. I put him in the laundry sink and cleaned him but couldnt dislodge it fully and he really objected to my prodding, so I put fresh water in the pond and just kept him in there. He ducked his head and furiously scratched at his nose. He didnt get both nostrils fully clear but he could breathe through them again, and proceded to preen, fossick and chase his girls as usual. I was watching him like a hawk.
Late last night I went to check on him and he was fluffed up in the corner just like Piper. I freaked and brought him inside. He had two doses of epsom salts in the first hour, then a dose of mild charcoal. His eyes were extremely dilated but not changing rapidly like Pipers were. His movements were a bit shaky and after he upended a water dish I decided not to leave one in. He was the first bird I ever hatched and he is very good to handle - he loves being pampered with a hot water bottle.
This morning he is doing really well, he's been very alert throughout. This morning at 6am he was curled up with his head under his wing on his warm bottle, my little cutey. He's now got a deep water dish and he's in the laundry where its warm. His pupils are still very dilated but overall he looks a lot better. Hes very thirsty and hungry, I gave him a little seed and he had another dose of charcoal this morning.
Im just doubting everything now. The seed mix I use now is different to the one I used a few years ago, and Im doubting the seed mix. Im also worrying about the DCP (dicalcium phosphate) I have never given it to them before. The big girls are fine, they have thrived on the new seed and the DCP but maybe its no good for the little ducks? I dont know, I just dont know. I know I can rule out things outside the pen, like the pigeon cage, because the drake never leaves the pen. Its something just affecting the little ducks, not the big girls.
Yesterday about midday I noticed my drake was making an odd whistling noise and not chasing his girls. I found he had mud plugged in both nostrils and was breathing through his mouth. I put him in the laundry sink and cleaned him but couldnt dislodge it fully and he really objected to my prodding, so I put fresh water in the pond and just kept him in there. He ducked his head and furiously scratched at his nose. He didnt get both nostrils fully clear but he could breathe through them again, and proceded to preen, fossick and chase his girls as usual. I was watching him like a hawk.
Late last night I went to check on him and he was fluffed up in the corner just like Piper. I freaked and brought him inside. He had two doses of epsom salts in the first hour, then a dose of mild charcoal. His eyes were extremely dilated but not changing rapidly like Pipers were. His movements were a bit shaky and after he upended a water dish I decided not to leave one in. He was the first bird I ever hatched and he is very good to handle - he loves being pampered with a hot water bottle.
This morning he is doing really well, he's been very alert throughout. This morning at 6am he was curled up with his head under his wing on his warm bottle, my little cutey. He's now got a deep water dish and he's in the laundry where its warm. His pupils are still very dilated but overall he looks a lot better. Hes very thirsty and hungry, I gave him a little seed and he had another dose of charcoal this morning.
Im just doubting everything now. The seed mix I use now is different to the one I used a few years ago, and Im doubting the seed mix. Im also worrying about the DCP (dicalcium phosphate) I have never given it to them before. The big girls are fine, they have thrived on the new seed and the DCP but maybe its no good for the little ducks? I dont know, I just dont know. I know I can rule out things outside the pen, like the pigeon cage, because the drake never leaves the pen. Its something just affecting the little ducks, not the big girls.