Serious Duck Problem really need help Video Added!!!

[MMPoultryFarms]

I Posted earlier somewhere about my ducks having spasms. First off I apoligize for the double Post, My vet is waiting on me to come pick up medication for these birds but I am not sure what it even is all I do know is theres only one duck today showing symptoms, there is no blood in stool no diarrea, there eating and drinking just fine. But theres these really wierd spasm like situations that occur almost out of the random here is a video to better help you see it.

I hate to give them medication for the wrong thing so any advice in what this might be would help thank you BYC.

 

[Denninmi]

Well, I watched your video, but it was sort of hard to tell too much from it.

Is it truly a spasm or similar, or is it just some kind of behavior. To me, it reminded me of some of the neck movements birds make during mating rituals, albeit I don't know if ducks do this sort of thing. Or maybe some type of territorial posturing related to dominance as they try to sort out the pecking order of the flock. But of course, they're not in the mode to do that in the video, as they are sort of being herded around -- maybe its some kind of flight or fight type movement?

I don't know. I read you post last night and am relieved to hear they are all still alive and eating and drinking.

Maybe someone else will help you out that knows more than I do.

 

[One Acre Wonder Farm]

Do you mean the head bobbing? If so, my ducks do it and I always assumed it was some type of pre-mating/courting behavior

 

[Sir Birdaholic]

It looked like a "nod", like swans do to each other, but I've never seen a duck doing it........until now???

 

[MMPoultryFarms]

its a spasm you can see his muscles clenching like on his breast as if we had a muscle spasm his head pounds wildly against his back. all i have to shoot video is a cell phone so i have to get close which causes them to be herded. but it happens when he just sits there ( I say he but i have no idea of there sex yet) or when S/he swims walks he seems so sad yesterday it was all 5 ducks showing these signs after drenching them for hours, cleaning there pen area emptying there water after each and every swim session the flock seems to be perking up. but this one bird still has it really bad what ever it is as for dominance this is my smallest duck the goose and his wife are the ring leaders. I know one might think its just natural but I spend 10 hours + a day with my birds i have seem them court be agressive chose the picking order. in my heart I know something is wrong. i just cant pin point what. Give me a chicken acting funny and ill hit the nail on the head but gimme a duck and goose and im a lost soul. I hate to wait till its dead I guess them medication cant hurt to much. maybe i should just trat them for the several symptoms the medication covers thus way covering all grounds possible and also adding ebson salt to there water and pull them off the yard.
Anyone think thats a bad idea please give suggestions thanks alot for your time with this. also in the video he is doing it from the start almost to finish minus one brief moment where he is running along side the house.

 

[kylee2katie]

I really hope this isn't a problem - I have a 14 week old female pekin that just started doing the same thing - I thought it was some sort of "dominating" behavior. Maybe they are just "frisky"!!

How old are yours? are they all doing it? just males? just females?

 

[Hillsvale]

don't know about the ducks sorry if you are having a problem...

but lovely africans... I have 3 3 month olds I am waiting on determining their sex!

 

[zazouse]

I guess i am missing what you are talking about all i see is one duck bobbing its head and that is normal in females.

 

[Cetawin]

From the video, the head bobbing up and down as well bobbing up and down to one side is normal behavior...it is a mating ritual if you will.

I would have to see a video of it doing the bobbing thing with its head on its back to tell you but what you videotaped is not a spasm, she is enticing a nearby male. That does not require medication. LOL

You need to have the duck examined and figure out what it is rather than arbitrarily giving it a medication. Would you take a flu medication just because your nose was running? Probably not so why do it to the duck? I would recommend videotaping the other behavior and showing all of it to the vet at least. I cannot believe a vet would dispense medication without examining the duck...that is just plain stupid. Unlike chickens, ducks are far easier to over medicate especially in water soluable medications.

If the vet is not willing to/does not examine the duck but hands out meds I would seek another vet myself.

 

[bock]

There was 0 spazzing in that video.