Sudden duck death in adult pekin

[Lil Chicken mama]

We've had rain for weeks, but my ducks have been able to hang out in a dry coop, exterior covered run, and an outer fenced yard w a pool (it was cleaned and filled yesterday). Today I let everyone out and they were fine. I watched my 18 mo old adult f Pekin hop into the pool w her mate to swim. Things were fine for hours. She slowly began taking longer dips (seen on CCTV) like she was drinking, until she quit lifting her head. I realized I couldn't see her out the window and went out to find her dead, all stretched out in the water. Camera timer shows it took 15 minutes from the first time she seems to slow down picking up her head. They had a great all flock feed mix, niacin supplements, plenty of calcium, no impacted or sour crop, and I'm always making sure they don't have trash or other items in the yard. ...I just DO NOT get it . ANY ideas? Fungal? TONS of rain and she WAS my silly mud girl.

 

[fatty and friends]

how often do you clean the pool? i’m so sorry, ive heard ducks can get something called botulism

 

[Lil Chicken mama]

It depends on the rain or algae growth, but I don't like it yucky. Everyone uses it for additional drinking water, so I make sure I can see the blue of the pool. Once it's murky, I change it.

 

[KaleIAm]

I'm very sorry for your loss.

The way to know for sure is to have a necropsy done. We can guess, but you won't really know. I've had necropsies for all my deceased ducks and it has been helpful for my grief and the health of my remaining flock. You can take the body to your avian veterinarian or send it to your state veterinary lab (usually less expensive.)

 

[Lil Chicken mama]

how often do you clean the pool? i’m so sorry, ive heard ducks can get something called botulism

I found an empty EXPIRED PEANUT BUTTER JAR almost buried in the hay by her corner , w the heat and damp, I believe your guess of botulism was right. My neighbors are terrible about chucking things over the fence to the critters that they feel are harmless, and repeated conversations not to haven't helped . I'll be spending my weekend putting up a net cover for them, since I've lost a chicken to a similar incident (fruit roll w the plastic left on, jeez). Botulism is looking like my culprit. HOW DID YOU GUESS THAT?

 

[fatty and friends]

I found an empty EXPIRED PEANUT BUTTER JAR almost buried in the hay by her corner , w the heat and damp, I believe your guess of botulism was right. My neighbors are terrible about chucking things over the fence to the critters that they feel are harmless, and repeated conversations not to haven't helped . I'll be spending my weekend putting up a net cover for them, since I've lost a chicken to a similar incident (fruit roll w the plastic left on, jeez). Botulism is looking like my culprit. HOW DID YOU GUESS THAT?

i am so sorry maybe tell your neighbors if they keep doing things that effect your animals health they will be responsible for vet bills?

 

[Lil Chicken mama]

i am so sorry maybe tell your neighbors if they keep doing things that effect your animals health they will be responsible for vet bills?

I'm just in tears knowing how preventable and senseless it was, and her mate is guarding the pool, but won't swim. We spent literally thousands to build solid double fences around the property w extra roofing, fences, and double gated enclosures bc the neighbors used to bring their kids over in wagons and treated our place like a petting zoo. We lost several chickens to respiratory transmissions and trash fed to them from the kids, while the parents and gparents only became offended when we insisted they stop trespassing... hence the solid fence and now: top netting. I wish ppl understood they are NOT being kind or giving them treats.

 

[Miss Lydia]

So very sorry for your loss.

 

[Lil Chicken mama]

Today I had a duckling hatch from one of my girl's last few eggs! It's SO CUTE!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Can we see?