*~*Runner Duck Club*~*

[Miss Lydia]

They are cute, Makes me miss when mine were babies.

 

[Duck Hill]

Sorry to post this here... I cant figure out how to start a new thread.

I have a sick duck. Won't eat. Can't walk, can stand a bit but falls over immediately. When swimming, falls on its side, and so swims in circles on its side. The head is held straight at all times (in a normal position) so it isn't an inner ear issue - the duck knows which way is upright. Wings are normal, neck seems ok. Duck has shown symptoms for several days and is doing fine with tube feeding. Has been given extra B vitamins. No worse, no improvement.

Has strength in its head and bill (bites me strongly as it is only semi-tame).

Any ideas?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Must not be botulism is neck is not limber. Might treat anyway. Just to cover all bases. Other than that since your giving extra B's Sounds like you have it covered. It may take some time to recover if it's a vitamin def depending on ager and how long it's been going on. How much niacin are you giving it needs to be at least 150mgs.

 

[Ducklebutt]

Hey Im wondering about something!!! I have three little runners and they ar beginning to feather out but with and interesting pattern on their feathers. I was just wondering If this was normal as This my first time with ducks! The pattern is much more saturated in person but this is the best I can do as they are super wiggly!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Did you order a specific color?

This is one thing I found on color maybe it will help https://www.runnerduck.net/photos.php
I am not a good one on colors.

 

[Duck Hill]

Ducklebutt... The color looks like Mallard or Dusky. (Mallard if they have headstripes, dusky otherwise). If they are girls, they will keep this lovely color. If they are boys, they will change when they get their adult feathers. However, because the baby fuzz is grey, they could have a blue gene (so the boys would have a dark head rather than a green head).

 

[Duck Hill]

Must not be botulism is neck is not limber. Might treat anyway. Just to cover all bases. Other than that since your giving extra B's Sounds like you have it covered. It may take some time to recover if it's a vitamin def depending on ager and how long it's been going on. How much niacin are you giving it needs to be at least 150mgs.

I have been treating for all possibilities... first day molasses to clean out the system in case of botulism, followed by lots of vitamin B just in case (1/4 human chewable) - but I will check the dose tonight and will increase if not 150. He is strong and occasionally drinks a bit of extra water, though he isn't eating on his own. I am tube-feeding him.

His legs seem strong:
- he can sit up on them if his butt is leaning on something
- he can stand on them for an extended period of time if I hold his balance for him.

His head has balance because he holds it very straight even when he falls over - he knows which way is up. But...
- He cannot hold his balance on land unless his butt is braced against something.
- He cannot float upright but instead promptly falls over on his side when placed in the water.

In the first picture he is trying to stand up a bit with his butt firmly against the end of the tub. If not braced he falls over sideways or backwards. In the second he is trying unsuccessfully to get upright. In the third he has given up and he is preening himself in spiteof his odd posture. I have tried shallow or deep water and it makes no difference.


I have had two other ducks with possible botulism over the past few years. In both cases they first couldn't walk, then got really, really weak all over, then slowly got better. They did have balance issues when trying to walk again, but even when quite sick they floated upright! Some of my first ducklings had some signs of B deficiency till I learned better, and they stepped on their own feet walking - but they also swam upright.

I am thoroughly puzzled, but this has gone on for several days and he is no worse. I hope he will eventually improve.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I hope so too, bless his heart and your doing all you can for him. Only other thing I could suggest is a vet and I know it's not always feasible or easy to find one that will see poultry.

Please keep us updated.

 

[Ducklebutt]

Ducklebutt... The color looks like Mallard or Dusky. (Mallard if they have headstripes, dusky otherwise). If they are girls, they will keep this lovely color. If they are boys, they will change when they get their adult feathers. However, because the baby fuzz is grey, they could have a blue gene (so the boys would have a dark head rather than a green head).

Thanks for this!!! I don't recall the guy we got them from having any mallards in his flock they do have that striking pattern though so I am very confused. Your suggestion was very helpful and I will look into those colours more. I had originally thought they were going to turn out chocolate or blue but something crazy is happening

 

[Widlast]

A fox (or so I assume) got two of my blue girls last night. He dug under the fence.
Why two? Greedy SOB!

Fixed the fence, set out a trap. Once they have found a banquet there's no living with them.