Older ducks

[rescue animals]

Please can anyone advise me. I have a flock of 9 ducks. Free range on acre and half. One of my Aylesbury ducks age 7 is not putting on any weight., and lost her breast feathers. This started last winter. I put her on extra layers pellets and apple cider vinegar. She put weight on, but her foot swelled up. I reduced the layers back to normal level in spring (she remains with the rest of the flock) and stopped the apple cider vinegar. Foot went back down, but she has a limp. However the problem is re occurring, with feather loss under her belly. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Debs Flock]

Welcome to BYC. Sorry your duck is having issues. I'm puzzled right along with you so I'll tag some other members that are much more knowledgeable than myself. Best of luck!

@Ravynscroft
@Miss Lydia
@Pyxis
@casportpony

 

[Ravynscroft]

Pics would help... any scabs on bottoms of her feet? Have you checked for lice/mites or any other external parasites? Is she broody or trying to brood?

 

[rescue animals]

Thank you for your comment. No parasites of any kind. No scabs on feet. Not laying at all nor is broody. She hasn`t laid an egg for the past 2 years, and has never been broody. My neighbour thinks she is just old.

 

[Ravynscroft]

Might try deworming her and see if that helps her weight loss... for her feet and legs, give her a soak in warm epsom salt water, might do this on a regular schedule if it helps her... just try not to let her drink the water as it is a laxative...

 

[rescue animals]

Already de-wormed, just in case this was the problem. Thank you so much for the epsom salt water idea. I`ll start and let you know.