Sickly duckies

[Cindiloohoo]

I have some runners and a few Pekins who have been exhibiting strange symptoms. I've never had my ducks act this way before. They are loosing control of their legs and throwing their heads back. I thought it could be botulism, as they had gotten in the pig pen and ate some old watermelon. We have been treating them, just not successfully. We have lost 4 of the littler ones. Their age range is between 6 weeks and 10 weeks of age. We have two more who are sick like this, and the rest seem to be fine. Any ideas on what it could be? I don't want to lose the other two! Their coop and run is CLEAN. I can't figure it out!

 

[Amiga]

It does sound like botulism. What are you treating them with?

How warm is it where you are?

It could also be a virus, but really it sounds like toxins. Do you have a vet?

 

[Cindiloohoo]

We treated with Epsom salt water in a medicine dropper for 5 days. The last two, the ones who weren't so ill have pulled through finally! I do think it was botulism. They act like nothing ever happened now. We don't have a local avian vet. They'd laugh us out of the place if we brought in a duck or chicken! I generally just use Google and this forum on the rare occassion that I do have an issue I am unfamiliar with It is REALLY warm here. We have been hovering around or above 100 degrees for weeks on end already.

 

[jdywntr]

glad to hear that they pulled through. sorry that you lost some though