So, vaccinate or not?

[Dandy's mom]

So when I took my dandy to the vet, I asked her about vaccines for ducks. She said they don't have them there, and that she could order them if I wanted, but it might be more cost efficient to try another place that already has them since places that keep em on hand get em in bulk so they probably get em cheaper. My question is, I have 1 duck that lives primarily indoors, and mostly goes to the front yard when I force her and that's only for a short period and always supervised. I do bring her with me quite a bit, so she's around other people petting her and touching her. And as I've posted already, she's super picky about eating, and declines fruit, vegetables or anything other than her crumble food and a few pellets of cat food (Have to hide those in her crumble) She didn't know much about vaccines and if Dandy needed them even. (she said probably not needed since she isn't a show duck or around other birds) but I was just wondering what the duck community thinks about vaccines. Do or Don't? I don't mind even if they're a little pricey, I don't want her sick with something I can prevent with a vaccine. But I don't want to risk nasty side effects and undo stress if she doesn't need them.

 

[CrystaBub]

I wondered the same thing when I first got my ducks. I decided not to vaccinate since my ducks are healthy and would never be in contact with other ducks. I am however starting an herbal dewormer when we get back from vacation - because who knows what they are ingesting when they're foraging. I also put Braggs ACV in their water - I think that helps with overall health.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Only problem I see with Dandy maybe needing something and might not even be a vaccine for what she could come into contact with folks that have other poultry. They say even going into a feed store where someone else has walked that has sick birds can make ours vulnerable if we come home and walk out with the same shoes on to our bird area. Or if someone else has poultry and comes to visit and goes into your bird area which is mainly your home. It's called Bio security. @KikisGirls I believe has info on it.

 

[Kiki]

Vaccines are given to poultry at hatch not when they are older.
I am not even sure about what types are available for ducks.

Read this:
BIOSECURITY BASICS

 

[Kiki]

I wondered the same thing when I first got my ducks. I decided not to vaccinate since my ducks are healthy and would never be in contact with other ducks. I am however starting an herbal dewormer when we get back from vacation - because who knows what they are ingesting when they're foraging. I also put Braggs ACV in their water - I think that helps with overall health.

Herbal wormer will not rid a worm infestation.
That is a myth.

 

[Dandy's mom]

Only problem I see with Dandy maybe needing something and might not even be a vaccine for what she could come into contact with folks that have other poultry. They say even going into a feed store where someone else has walked that has sick birds can make ours vulnerable if we come home and walk out with the same shoes on to our bird area. Or if someone else has poultry and comes to visit and goes into your bird area which is mainly your home. It's called Bio security. @KikisGirls I believe has info on it.

Hmmm, sounds like vaccinate it is then.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Let us know what vaccines they can give a duck at Dandy’s age like Kiki said it’s usually babies they vaccinate so we’re all interested

 

[Dandy's mom]

Let us know what vaccines they can give a duck at Dandy’s age like Kiki said it’s usually babies they vaccinate so we’re all interested

I'll call gulf coast today. That's the avian vet my vet referred me to for the vaccine info. I'll call and then update with info

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thanks appreciate that.

 

[townchicks]

Since you have a vet, take a stool sample in to be checked for worms. As Kikisgirls pointed out, herbal wormers do not work. Different worms need different types of wormers. Find out what your duck has, if any and address those. If she doesn't have them don't deworm. Be aware that you need to do 2 different samples, 2 weeks apart. The sample is checked for worm eggs, which are shed in cycles, so they don't always show up in just one sample.
How old is your duck? When you say you take her places, what kind of places? Do you go to feed stores or poultry shows or friends that have poultry houses, without her? Vaccines can be lifesavers, but they are not benign. They can cause reactions, and they do stress the immune system, and can put an already stressed animal over the edge. An adult animal in good health may not need vaccines, as it's immune system can resist many small challenges from viruses to create it's own "vaccine" You need to assess your birds risk factors (exposure) and decide if it is high enough to warrant vaccination. Supporting her immune system with good diet, probiotics, and addressing parasites, internal and external, can go a long way to her ability to fight disease.