Sick weak ducks

[Maryallison]

Hey there. I have a flock of about 12 muskovey ducks. 3 days ago we noticed a hen stumbling around and weak. She let us pick her right up (which is not normal) I have her seperated in a cage up off the ground now. I noticed this morning now a drake has the same symtoms: think, weak. he is still eating well though. I have him seperated too. The hen, Kisses is looking pretty bad now. She will not eat and drinks very little. I hand fed food and bread today. I am giving both her and the drake vitamin water and probiotics that is for chicks. I am guessing both ducks are about 1.5 to 2 years old. few days ago they were running around with everyone else like nothing was wrong. Kisses, then hen has a little bit of a dirty butt and flies are coming around her. I did wipe her off. I know with some small animals dirty butts can be a issuse, was not sure about ducks cause their poops are always a splatter anyways.

A friend sugested worming. Anyone worm thier ducks? My ducks have a small pond that we hand dug. It is 12x5 foot and I normally just flush it out every few weeks, but it has been awhile since I did it.

Thanks in advance

 

[Maryallison]

Poor Kisses passed away while I was inside cleaning house. Went out to hand feed her again and she had passed.

Drake is still eating very well. I wormed him with the liquid Ivermectin and then I added it to a bowl of water then soaked bread in it and fed to the other ducks. Really hoping I can get some advise on here......

 

[Miss Lydia]

Poor Kisses passed away while I was inside cleaning house. Went out to hand feed her again and she had passed.

Drake is still eating very well. I wormed him with the liquid Ivermectin and then I added it to a bowl of water then soaked bread in it and fed to the other ducks. Really hoping I can get some advise on here......

It could have been something she ate and drank, their water can get pretty nasty pretty fast. Might want to clean it out more often, If I let mine go for 2 weeks, well I'd hate to think what might be living in there. So sorry for your loss

 

[Suzie]

X -2

You need to ensure that all water is replenished every day - you can add a small amount of bleach and ACV to the water - ducks are incredibly messy and often poop in their water containers.

I am so very sorry for your loss - it happens to all of us - It is sometimes helpful to read of experienced people to understand good husbandry - I wish you and your drake well - hopefully he will recover to full health - sadly at this time of year there are many fungi which could be toxic to your ducks, chickens and any other fowl you may have.

Suzie

 

[Amiga]

Take a look at the stickies about doing a flush . . . something to consider if your ducks are getting into something.

I am very sad to read about your loss, it is tough. I don't feel it was worms that got to your duck. It may have been botulism, or other bacterial infection. Activated charcoal (not the briquettes, but the dietary supplement) can absorb toxins in the gut. You may want to keep that handy and give it a try.

I would be looking for the source of toxins and change it. The pond is a suspect, but perhaps not the only possibility.

Please stick with us, search the archives, there are loads of good information here.