Pet Duck getting "high" on mushrooms...

[spinn]

For the past three springs, one of our ducks (Roxy, a Khaki Campbell) has had an "episode" where we find her in the yard, but very lethargic, and at times unable to walk. The first time it happened, we thought for sure she was going to die. We suspected something neurological perhaps, like a stroke. We made a little bed for her under our bedroom window (away from the other ducks, in case they would pick on her). The next morning, I prepared for the worst as my husband walked out to check on her. As soon as he slid the back door open though, I heard a very strong "Quack, quack, quack" from right beneath my window. Amazingly, she was absolutely fine!

The next year...same thing. It was horrible to watch! But, about 12 hours later she was fine.

Yesterday (year 3)... I find her in the yard. Smiling. Seriously, our theory is that she is eating the little "lawnmower's mushrooms" in our yard. All 3 years it happened when the mushrooms bloomed. This time, I actually video taped her a bit. And... I found a link to an article about how sometimes these mushrooms can be psychoactive:

http://urbanmushrooms.com/index.php?id=42

Now... two youtube videos as "evidence":

(this second one is harder to watch...but, every time her legs do this until eventually she can't walk at all)

***parental advisory... one bad word in this one*** :

OK...wanted to take the time to get this info out. Maybe we can save someone from some horribly long hours of worry if you find your pet duck in a similar state of being during "yard mushroom" season...

 

[SouthernPride]

A little bit of comedy after a long winter! That's pretty funny, have never seen a duck crawl. You might want to eraticate those mushrooms. Try to pick them before the spores have a chance to spread. Otherwise, you may be looking at a very expensive stay at a rehabilitation center.

 

[spinn]

I know, right? Of our four ducks...she is the only one that does it. Might have to check and see if there is a 12 step program for Ducks

 

[KelC0308]

Can't see videos! :-/

 

[flynntheduck]

That is hilarious! She is so stoned!

 

[subhanalah]

I would be concerned with this. The ingredient that causes the psychedelic trip is actually a type of poison. It's clearly not killed her yet, but not everything kills you if you try it just once. *DARE flashbacks*

 

[subhanalah]

I just watched the videos...I wonder what kind of "experience" she's having. I don't think she realizes the cause and effect of eating those delicious seasonal mushrooms!

 

[Fancychooklady]

I'd be more concerned about permanent neurological damage. We have ' magic ' mushrooms , the pretty red ones with white spots. They come up in the horse paddocks. The horses don't touch them, and that's evidence enough for me. Eating un identified fungi can be very bad for your health.( 6 people were recently hospitalized here in Australia , after eating ' field mushrooms' ). Did you ever see the movie ' the bear ' they try to give you a ' birds eye view ' of the bear hallucinating after it has eaten ' magic mushrooms '.

 

[spinn]

We try to get rid of the mushrooms when they come up each year. The odd thing is, she is the only duck that has ever shown signs of eating them. The other ducks and our dog seem to leave them alone...

It's like she is especially drawn to them.

 

[spinn]

Can't see videos! :-/

I'm not sure why the link to the video's didn't work for you. But, here is a fresh link to them:

Hopefully that will get you there