Sick baby duck!?! HELP!

[Shel'sChirpChirps]

I have 2 pekin ducklings that are just under one week old. I noticed yesterday that the bigger duckling's nostril was clogged (just the left one). I didn't want to hurt him, so I kept a very close eye on him and figured he would clean it out in the water if it bothered him. Now this afternoon, I noticed that both nostrils have clogged up, and he was opening his mouth to breath. So I took him to the sink and gently soaked his beak with a warm rag, and VERY GENTLY tried to clear his nostrils. He started sneezing, and some mucus-type material came out, and then he was fine again. So I was wondering if the get little duckling colds or if this could be something more serious that I might need to medicate? This is my first adventure in rasing birds, and I would appreciate any help and advice! Thanks!!

Shel

 

[bock]

OH NO! I have raised many ducks in my life, but I have never seen a duck that sick. My advice is to get Dave Hollereads book on raising ducks. I'm so sorry.

 

[vlapinta]

What does he have to drink from? Ducks need something to dunk their beaks in to clear their nostrils? If he has that then I have no idea other than to keep an eye on him.

Vicki

 

[Shel'sChirpChirps]

thank you, bock, i will look into that! Vicki, they have a one gallon water fount, which is plenty deep enough for them to get their entire beaks into. I catch the littler duckling do it all the time. The bigger guy drinks just fine, but i've never cought him shaking his head in the water like the other one.

 

[lovesduckies]

when my ducks are sneezing more than usual i give them electrolytes in their water.

 

[Shel'sChirpChirps]

well he hasn't gotten plugged up again, but he seem's to have a runny nose...he isn't sneezing a lot, but i do hear him once in a while. does this make sense to anyone? or am i making a big deal out of nothing? is there anything i can do for him?

 

[lovesduckies]

ducks always sneeze. mine do and i've seen and heard everyone elses do too. put if you want just to be safe you can always put electrolytes in the water. you can buy packets of it at the feed store. idk about the plugged issue i've never seen that. i hope your duckie is okay!!

 

[Birdcrazy]

ducky flu maybe? if there is such thing

 

[duckyfromoz]

Ensure that the little one has access to water to properly dunk his face in. They need to be able to clean their faces- and you can actually hear them playing in the water clearing their little nostrils. I few sneezes isnt to drastic- but could turn into a sinus infection if they cant keep their nostrils clean.

 

[Shel'sChirpChirps]

So Weezy and Runt got a deeper water dish today (to make double sure Weezy can get his face in there!). He seems to be doing alright, and I would feel a lot better if i could just figure out how to make him blow his nose! The 4 chicks that are in the brooding pen with them haven't messed with the big dish yet, which has been a concern...and Runt only tried swimming in it once before he figured out it's just too small! Crossing my fingers hoping this will clear up Weezy's sneezies!!

Shel