sick buff ducklings

[babbytrace]

i bought these 3 buff ducklings earlier today from a private person. i have never seen anything like this so hope someone can help me, all 3 have a red spot on there necks, one has alot of clear thick discharge coming from its mouth. the red on there necks was alot worse and more noticeable when they were wet, they were filthy when i got them so i did give them a bath. they are being kept separate from the rest of my flock, i have put a small amount of tetracycline powder in there water with hopes if it is bacterial that will help.

 

[Amiga]

Welcome to the Duck Forum!

I wonder if they have rubbed their necks against something, perhaps reaching for a snack.

If you can get a fecal test done on them, that would be good, and having them in a separate place is very good for a number of reasons.

I think they are lovely.

Nervousness can make them regurgitate, especially when picked up, so that may be what is going on there. Hard to say.

Have you brooded ducklings before? This is a good write-up https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/750869/raising-and-caring-for-ducklings#post_10611711

How warm are you keeping them? What feed are you using? What's the watering system? I ask because there are all kinds of factors that affect them.

 

[babbytrace]

im feeding them unmedicated chick starter same i have given my others with never any issues. we have brooded ducks before this is actually my 3rd group, never have ive seen this with any i have gotten, in fact all of them i brooded when i got them home went in with a heat lamp, unmedicated chick starter etc never any problems. there waterer i have in with them is the same i used with they others we have several all get a through washing frequently. i purchased the 3 buff ducklings earlier today from a private person, there conditions were well nasty, ill get a pic of them tommorrow wet after bathing to show. im certain its a bacterial issue just as to what i dont know. ive never seen this or ever had any of my others show symptoms like this.

 

[Amiga]

I think sanitary conditions and good food will help them quite a bit, and I agree that it may be best to treat them with antibiotics, though we cannot be absolutely certain about this, I feel.

I would put poultry vitamins with electrolytes and probiotics in their water twice a week the first week, then once a week after that.

 

[babbytrace]

great improvement antibiotics definutely helped

 

[Amiga]