strangely acting ducks

[Thebirdwisperr]

I'm a bit worried about my rouen ducks. When I brought in their water they drank alot right away and then when I went to put them in they seemed lazy (One who is named Jake kept sitting down with his wings slightly spread) and normally they're really really scared of people and won't let anyone near them, but this time they just moved slowly away (and also when I picked the other one Cole up he hardly tried to get free). Are they okay or are they sick? Please let me know as soon as possible.

 

[Amiga]

How old are they?

What is their feeding and drinking routine?

Is there anything dead (animal or plant) in their area? Thinking possible botulism. Are they acting drunk or loopy?

Any mushrooms growing in their area?

Had they been without water for a while? Drinking too much water too quickly can be a problem.

 

[Thebirdwisperr]

They were without water for 1 or 2 days. Can that be fatal?

 

[Amiga]

Oh, my. Yes. And now they may have hyponatremia, which can also be fatal.

 

[Amiga]

Where are they, and how do they look now? Are they still drinking? Have they been able to stand?

Do you have any electrolyte powder for poultry, perhaps in a vitamin mix? Or pedialyte?

Apple cider vinegar, unpasteurized?

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

They were without water for 1 or 2 days. Can that be fatal?

This can be fatal as ducks require water for eating. They need to be kept quiet and have electrolytes offered. Pedialyte or sugar water would be best, stay away from gator ade.

Were you away ad they is how they ran out of water?

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Amiga thanks for the PM


if the ducks were here we would likely do an IV of ringers to slowly bring hydration back up while keeping them confined to a kennel space that was dark and quiet.

 

[Thebirdwisperr]

They were warm and cozy and i put extra hay in there pen and they could stand well.

 

[Amiga]

CelticOaksFarm, I cannot express my gratitude enough. After I pm'd you I thought about it and thought about electrolytes. I hope the ducks get through this and hope we hear back soon.

 

[Amiga]

They were warm and cozy and i put extra hay in there pen and they could stand well.

Okay, they were standing. Good. Do you have poultry vitamins with electrolytes, or pedialyte, or can you get those very soon? The lack of water, then too much, can cause the electrolytes (like sodium and potassium) in their blood to become unbalanced, and that has a cascading effect on their little bodies. So giving them some electrolytes will help their systems.

Please keep us posted on how they are doing.