I hatched three pekin ducks almost three weeks ago (1/30) from my own flock of birds. Most of the rest of the eggs were either infertile or early quits. Anyhow, all three have remained in a tote in my RV as they've grown, with a heat plate on the side for warmth - while not suffering like the rest of the nation, it has been unseasonably chill, and there's no insulation in an RV.
Of the three ducklings, one (the largest), seems to have its head on tilt today. It stands upright, can walk (albeit a bit drunkenly, with a directional lean), is eating and drinking what appears to be normally. The shit it left on the RV's congoleum looks normal too. Feed had been a mix of at about 21% protein, medicated, and is now an 18% medicated chicken grower/starter for the past week or so. None of the other birds are showing symptoms. Yes, I know medicated w/ amprolium is for chicks, not ducks, but its all that's currently available to me. The rest of my flock is feeding from the same source, ranging from 6 week old chicks to 9-10 month old chickens (various breeds) and ducks (all pekins), and all symptom free.
None of my flock is vaccinated, but its virgin ground, and no new poultry has been introduced since December, nor has there been any direct contact between these birds and any of the rest of my flock. Only cross contamination would be via my clothing, though I don't much handle these birds, further limiting risk. We've heard turkey again on the property, but not spotted any in the pasturage, and certainly none in the RV.
As of today, am adding "Rooster Booster" Vitamin and Electrolyte mix to the water, in case its a vitamin deficiency. Mill date on the feed is recent, 5th week of this year. Its kept in the middle of the barn, dry, and has neither unusual appearance, nor evidence of moisture, mold, etc. Just a uniform dry powdery crumble, as normal. The duck's plastic brooder box is cleaned every 2-3 days, hot water, scrub, fresh liner. They bathe about as frequently.
I'm at an absolute loss, here, due to inexperience. Anything else I should be checking, or on the lookout for? I considered aspergillus, its been stupid wet non stop for a week, we've had to clean mold/mildew from a couple corners of the RV where water was condensing in the corners during cold nights, but there is no discharge from the ducks mouth or eyes, and it remains active, no gasping, so that doesn't seem to fit.
Other ideas? Suggestions?
Of the three ducklings, one (the largest), seems to have its head on tilt today. It stands upright, can walk (albeit a bit drunkenly, with a directional lean), is eating and drinking what appears to be normally. The shit it left on the RV's congoleum looks normal too. Feed had been a mix of at about 21% protein, medicated, and is now an 18% medicated chicken grower/starter for the past week or so. None of the other birds are showing symptoms. Yes, I know medicated w/ amprolium is for chicks, not ducks, but its all that's currently available to me. The rest of my flock is feeding from the same source, ranging from 6 week old chicks to 9-10 month old chickens (various breeds) and ducks (all pekins), and all symptom free.
None of my flock is vaccinated, but its virgin ground, and no new poultry has been introduced since December, nor has there been any direct contact between these birds and any of the rest of my flock. Only cross contamination would be via my clothing, though I don't much handle these birds, further limiting risk. We've heard turkey again on the property, but not spotted any in the pasturage, and certainly none in the RV.
As of today, am adding "Rooster Booster" Vitamin and Electrolyte mix to the water, in case its a vitamin deficiency. Mill date on the feed is recent, 5th week of this year. Its kept in the middle of the barn, dry, and has neither unusual appearance, nor evidence of moisture, mold, etc. Just a uniform dry powdery crumble, as normal. The duck's plastic brooder box is cleaned every 2-3 days, hot water, scrub, fresh liner. They bathe about as frequently.
I'm at an absolute loss, here, due to inexperience. Anything else I should be checking, or on the lookout for? I considered aspergillus, its been stupid wet non stop for a week, we've had to clean mold/mildew from a couple corners of the RV where water was condensing in the corners during cold nights, but there is no discharge from the ducks mouth or eyes, and it remains active, no gasping, so that doesn't seem to fit.
Other ideas? Suggestions?
