Silkie duckling needs some help! Congested, pasty eye

[19hhbelgian]

I just noticed tonight that my baby Karat is making a popping noise when he opens his mouth which he seems to be doing to breath in. When he breaths out with his mouth closed, his cheeks puff out a little bit like the air can't escape. His left eye is also a little crusty. He still has energy out the wazoo, and an excellent appetite. Please help Karat... I just can't lose him!! I have some antibiotics if need be, but I have no clue how much I would give him. He is only about 2 weeks old, and is tiny. My day old pekin is as big as Karat is currently.

Here's Karat:

 

[duckyfromoz]

Are his nostrils blocked at all?? They are so tiny that even the smallest blockage could be causing some issues. If he has some sinus blockage it could be causing the eye problem too.

I use a wet cotton bud to carefull wipe over the nostrils if they becaome blocked with such tiny ducklings.

Apart form that Im not sure what else to suggest- but it certainly is a good sign that he is eating well and has lots of energy.

 

[Amiga]

It often happens that ducklings get schmootz in their nostrils & eyes that can lead to infection. I try to avoid that by getting them into shallow (belly height) warm (90 F) water at least a couple of times a week, and giving them a face washer.

Here is a picture - I got the idea from gryeyes:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=3737386

Set this up, with lukewarm water for Karat, and see what he does - he may be able to take care of the problem himself. I keep one in the brooder at all times, changing it at least twice a day (to keep it sparkling clean at least for the first two seconds!). I made a larger one this week. I posted the topic with pics this morning.

 

[bstevens]

We had a duckling with the same issue. Eating well, very active, just congested so bad that the nostrils were plugged. Took the advice below and gave it a quick bath - Well... the duck knew exactly what to do without us interfering much. The duck bobbed it's head under water snorting bubbles and scratching it's bill with it's feet.... and in about 1-2 min. had totally cleared the blockage on it's own and is doing fine.

-Bill

Quote:

 

[19hhbelgian]

Thank You guys!! Karat is doing great

Took the advice as stated above, and he is a happy camper

I didn't realize that's what they were actually doing when they would bob under the water... I knew they were bathing, but didn't understand to what extent