Sick duck, Please help

[KaziCritter]

I have a duck that is pretty much non-respondant, feet cool to the touch (normally they have been nice and warm), and doesn't want to wake up. When I can get him to open his eyes nothing seems to register. I found him like this when I opened the coop only 20 min ago. I have him inside now to warm up (was a chilly night but everyone else seems fine) with food and water. He is just standing where I put him, sleeping with wings slightly drooping.

If it helps, he is suspected to be a pekin and is only about 1.5-2 months old. I also had 2 younger ducks act this same way last week, but they were dead before I had a chance to do much of anything for them. This boy is bigger, and doesn't seem as weak as they were when I found them. If he has whatever killed them, he will likely start shaking his head soon. He was active, eating, and drinking last night just fine too.

Any advice or suggestions would help.

 

[chickenfarmgirl]

Put him/her in the oven, with the oven on warm. This will help warm him up very effectively and evenly. Trust me, I've done this with a zillion chickens and 3 ducks... It warmed them very nicely, and they got along fine after that.
Other then that, I would rush to your nearest herbal store, and grab a bottle of Bach's Rescue Remedy. It says it is a Stress reliever, but it works in helping the little things live.
Other than that, good luck, and let us know!

 

[KaziCritter]

I've had him under a heat lamp now for 2 hours, also tried a warm bath. Legs are not cold anymore but he's still not wanting to wake up or anything. I've been getting quiet raspy quacks every so often, but he also started shaking his head (as if trying to shake something off it, not the gentle kind) which was the last thing the 2 that died were doing.

 

[KaziCritter]

well he just died. still would like to know what killed him or at least get an idea so i can have a better chance with my remaining ducks if they end up "catching" it.

 

[chickenfarmgirl]

so so so sorry to hear that! My sympathies.
If you ever do figure out what happened let me know, because I have 3 ducks too, (+ 3 in the incubator.)
Hope all goes well with your flock!
Cheers,
Camille

 

[Amiga]

The way to know is to have a necropsy done - you may be able to take the body to a state university for that, a vet may be able to help you find someone.

Some thoughts are toxins - from bedding, from feed (is the feed moldy), from metal, from exposure to some kind of fumes, perhaps.

Has anyone been putting out rat poison?

Take a look at this

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/700526/flushes-for-aiding-in-toxin-removal#post_9508213

 

[KaziCritter]

Still no real idea on what happened. I admit we have rat poison, but it hasn't bee put down anywhere on my property in about 20 years (too many inquisitive pets over the years for it to be safe, besides I prefer humane traps even for pests). The rest of my ducks weren't looking very good last night and one could barely walk. Stuffed them with as much food as they could eat before they hit the stage where they stopped eating and drinking. Brought the weakest in (not that the coop is much cooler most nights) and gave her food/water all night with dim light so she could wake or sleep as she chose. This morning she was still a little weak but much improved so it looks like I caught her before it got serious and the rest of my flock enjoyed the extra feed. Figured it would be safer to stuff them and hope the extra energy and warmth from digesting all of it helped them get better then keep trying to save them as they get worse, I'd end up with them either so stuffed they waddle more then normal but live or it wouldn't help and I'd be back where I started.

 

[Amiga]

Do they have water with food 24/7?

 

[KaziCritter]

yeah. water in the coop, outside, and a huge pool/pond.

 

[Amiga]

So they have food 24/7? I was a little confused when you said "the rest of my flock enjoyed the extra feed."