starving duck help

[quackers44]

Sorry, but if a duck has a contagious disease it absolutely can be passed to chickens...

If it is healthy, then of course not...

But the DOW warns about migratory flight paths for a reason...

Ok I agree with what ravynfallen sorry about that but I mean that most domestic ducks cannot pass disease to most chickens unless the duck is wild or has very fatal harmful disease. But you are amost absolutely right.

 

[Ravynscroft]

Ok I agree with what ravynfallen sorry about that but I mean that most domestic ducks cannot pass disease to most chickens unless the duck is wild or has very fatal harmful disease. But you are amost absolutely right.

Contagious, harmful diseases aren't just in the wild though... Marek's, MS, MG, IB, LT are not as uncommon as you might think in backyard flocks... most that are contagious can and will pass between chickens and ducks, but ducks are usually more resistant... doesn't mean they won't carry it and possibly infect other flocks, chickens or ducks...

It's just very wise to always quarantine any bird brought in from anywhere else, but especially when it's care has not been kept up properly...

 

[rockymountain]

The human form is amoxicillin 500 mg, the chicken will need to be weighed but I am guessing between 3 to 4 pounds. I will weigh him tomorrow. Hopefully everything goes well tonight. He does seem to have more energy holding his head etc. I do want to note I don't mind doing this, I just can't take on the other neglected animals. I understand a added duck would help, but I using a dog kennel and the room is limited as well as I am doing the isolation from other chickens. I just feel bad I just can't help all of them. This guy came to our property so I felt okay helping him. To go on someone property is a different matter. Sorry to babble.

 

[Ravynscroft]

Babble away... it helps to talk...

 

[rockymountain]

sorry I forgot to mention, we have around 15 pills of amoxicillin 500 mg. Will weigh him tomorrow.

 

[casportpony]

sorry I forgot to mention, we have around 15 pills of amoxicillin 500 mg.  Will weigh him tomorrow.

How is he today? Has he started drinking? How much does he weigh?

-Kathy

 

[duckitup]

Thank you, I am trying he gives me those eyes that he knows I am trying to help. Again every night I don't know if he will be with us but I am trying to my best to give this chance, so sorry I have screwed up along the way.

You are doing a great job. A lot of people wouldn't put in the effort. Pat yourself on the back. That duck is really lucky to have found you.

There is a lot of misinformation out there and you learn very quickly that not everything you read is correct. With any topic you will find many contradictions. It is hard to know what is right and wrong. It is not in any way your fault! Mistakes will happen. All you can do is do your best and YOU are doing your best. I thank you for trying. We need more people like you!


Like casportpony says, do get the feeding tube stuff. Just in case. You may not need it, but if you do, having it on hand will make things easier. This may have already been mentioned but.... You might want to add to your list the Kaytee Exact Baby Bird food. Or at least find out where you can get it in your area, if the need arises. (It's the food you use to give tube feedings) If you have a Pestmart near by you can get it there.

And one last thing. I'm sure you understand at this point, contradictory so some postings on this thread, that diseases can and do pass between ducks and chickens. RavynFallen is absolutely right on that! In addition to that advice I'd like to add that I've been told to not only quarantine but to also understand that you yourself can transmit from one area to another. For example, don't wear the same clothes/shoes or use the same equipment while cleaning out the ducks area that you use in the chickens area. You could potentially pass disease through your shoes etc.

Good luck. Hang in there.

 

[DwayneNLiz]

@rockymountain

you are doing so great!!! It is a huge learning curve to say the least

you have received some awesome advice

the only thing i have not seen mentioned is Niacin being added to his food, he will need some extra B3 vitamins, you can use brewers yeast

Good luck!!!

 

[rockymountain]

update, he did eat some last night or this morning, as well as water. He also ate all the frozen peas but didn't care for the lettuce. I weighted him and he is 2.5 lbs. I do have niacin in tablet form, how do you give it to the duck, and how much?

 

[duckitup]

What a cutie. He looks so much better than the first pic. Good to hear he ate and drank last night. Is that water dish deep enough for him to dunk his whole head in? They need to be able to rinse all the way over their eyes.

Also, does your scale have the ability to measure in grams? Measuring in grams is more accurate. You can convert it but it won't be quite as accurate. When my duck was sick he wouldn't stand still long enough for me to weigh him in grams because the scale was too sensitive so I had to do the conversion thing. You can find conversion calculators on the internet. It's not the end of the world if you don't have a gram option but if you do start weighing him that way.

As far as niacin goes. You can give tablet form but it can't be the "no flush" kind. So check your label and make sure it doesn't say "no flush" on it anywhere. The amount is going to depend on what mg tablets you have. To give it to them you need to crush it up and put it in their water. It is 100 to 150mg per gallon of water. I use 500 mg tablets and do my best to cut it into 5 equal pieces. However, I don't know if you can mix it in the water that you have the antibiotic in. Hopefully someone else will.