The Duck Thread

[Starfire669]

Ebony was re-injured last night when she was stepped on by her flock mates. Also Daisy mounted her and "bred" her which most likely further aggravated her injury. I penned her up alone but she was banging against the sides of the cage trying to rejoin the other ducks. I moved her into the nursery with the remaining 2 goslings and not only did she settle, but the goslings are no longer crying when I leave them to do chores. She can not put weight on her right leg at all, I am going to keep soaking her in warm water baths and keep her in the nursery for a few days to a week to ensure her leg has time to heal properly. The goslings get Brewer's yeast added to their water every couple days and i think this could help Ebony. I will set up a feeding station that the goslings can't reach for her feed and calcium. Any other suggestions/ideas that I can try?

 

[DuckDodgers]

What is the feeding routine? Food with water 24/7 or not? Is there a head washer? Sometimes they can get viruses, or infections, but sometimes it is just dust or clogged nares. I am a little concerned about the water-poop. Once it a while, yes, I can see that. Mine have water poop if they have been eating a lot of ice and snow in the winter, or if they have been playing in water and haven't been near the food bowl in a while.

After I posted yesterday I told her to try to get them to wash their nares in warm water. She said that she did and some food came out of one of their nares the other one just had some dust. So you where right just clogged nares. Yes they do have 24/7 food and water.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Ebony was re-injured last night when she was stepped on by her flock mates. Also Daisy mounted her and "bred" her which most likely further aggravated her injury. I penned her up alone but she was banging against the sides of the cage trying to rejoin the other ducks. I moved her into the nursery with the remaining 2 goslings and not only did she settle, but the goslings are no longer crying when I leave them to do chores. She can not put weight on her right leg at all, I am going to keep soaking her in warm water baths and keep her in the nursery for a few days to a week to ensure her leg has time to heal properly. The goslings get Brewer's yeast added to their water every couple days and i think this could help Ebony. I will set up a feeding station that the goslings can't reach for her feed and calcium. Any other suggestions/ideas that I can try?

I think about all you can do is let her rest, hopefully that's all she needs. I have one that hasn't been able to walk since last Friday she limped then, she is in a pen by herself where she can see everyone and vise versa, today she is showing a bit of improvement, I'm still not sure whats going on with her, when I soaked her she laid and egg the next morning but still wouldn't put weight on her leg and foot, then she got pool time yesterday and this morning she laid again, and is now putting a tiny bit of weight on her leg. I'll keep her up till she is 100%, they can sure make us worry. Glad at least her and your goslings are getting along. so she has company.

 

[Miss Lydia]

After I posted yesterday I told her to try to get them to wash their nares in warm water. She said that she did and some food came out of one of their nares the other one just had some dust. So you where right just clogged nares. Yes they do have 24/7 food and water.

Sometimes people bring home ducklings and use chick waterers which are usually okay for about a week, they don't realize the importance of giving the ducklings something deep enough to help them wash their faces. in the stickes there is a link about caring for ducklings, it has a pic of a cheap homemade waterer maybe you can show her the pic and she can make on for her ducklings.

 

[DuckDodgers]

Sometimes people bring home ducklings and use chick waterers which are usually okay for about a week, they don't realize the importance of giving the ducklings something deep enough to help them wash their faces. in the stickes there is a link about caring for ducklings, it has a pic of a cheap homemade waterer maybe you can show her the pic and she can make on for her ducklings.

I will. Thank-you, right now she has my copy of Storey's guide to raising ducks.

 

[Ren2014]

This I like, you have hit the nail on the head and hopefully others contemplating getting ducks will read this and THINK before they leap. Ducks are awesome to own and share a life with but it's not always a bed of roses[ if there are any left after they have eaten them] and Blue Kote is awesome stuff I have worn it many days and weeks before, now I use Latex gloves when I have to use it.

Thank you

I'm very fortunate that my ducks have not suffered from my lack of thinking before I jumped

Ren2014, I appreciate the your role here on the Duck Forum. Glad you are with us!

And I hope you don't mind me holding a copy of your reflections to share with others, especially late winter when people are asking, "are ducks for me?"

We had eleven ducklings, also, runners - and I went with all females, paid the extra dollar a head. After what I have learned here, I think I stumbled onto the best approach for me. I am not superior to anyone, I just made a guess that worked out okay this time.

And, yes, eleven ducklings. In the house. For three solid months.


Here is the flock supervising me as I wash out their food and water containers in the tub. Wish I had a video of Acht poking her head into the waste basket, then the toilet, checking the acoustics.

Thank you

I'm glad I found y'all. I have learned so much from you, Miss Lydia and everyone else here.

Please do share. I hope everyone thinking about getting ducks can read it before they leap

And, if I missed anything that you can save me from please add to my list

I LOVE your approach and OMG... 3 mos in the house, what a hoot that must have been! Lucky you actually. My husband would never allow it and we even have concrete floors. Geeesss... I kept telling him, it's just concrete they are pooping all on, lol.

 

[Ren2014]

Something else probably killed her and the vulture was taking advantage of the kill Very sorry for your loss.

x2

That's a turkey vulture. Seriously doubt it took your duck.

Clint

Or a buzzard. Either way they both come after the kill

I had two call ducks. Luna and Quincy. the dark one was Luna and the whitish one is Quincy:
a couple of months ago Luna was eaten by a bird that I thought was a hawk but now I'm not so sure. there's a bunch of birds that are always in my yard and I think that they're the birds that ate Luna I have a picture and I'm just wondering if anybody knows if it's a hawk or what other bird it could be

So sorry for your loss. Did you see the bird get her? Turkey vultures and buzzards don't usually hang around yards unless there is something already dead and then they move on after consuming the remains.

 

[Ren2014]

Ebony was re-injured last night when she was stepped on by her flock mates. Also Daisy mounted her and "bred" her which most likely further aggravated her injury. I penned her up alone but she was banging against the sides of the cage trying to rejoin the other ducks. I moved her into the nursery with the remaining 2 goslings and not only did she settle, but the goslings are no longer crying when I leave them to do chores. She can not put weight on her right leg at all, I am going to keep soaking her in warm water baths and keep her in the nursery for a few days to a week to ensure her leg has time to heal properly. The goslings get Brewer's yeast added to their water every couple days and i think this could help Ebony. I will set up a feeding station that the goslings can't reach for her feed and calcium. Any other suggestions/ideas that I can try?

Oooo no, poor Ebony

Sounds like a win win for her and the goslings and you too! Wishing her a speedy recovery. Any word on how Howard is doing at his new home?

 

[Ren2014]

I think about all you can do is let her rest, hopefully that's all she needs. I have one that hasn't been able to walk since last Friday she limped then, she is in a pen by herself where she can see everyone and vise versa, today she is showing a bit of improvement, I'm still not sure whats going on with her, when I soaked her she laid and egg the next morning but still wouldn't put weight on her leg and foot, then she got pool time yesterday and this morning she laid again, and is now putting a tiny bit of weight on her leg. I'll keep her up till she is 100%, they can sure make us worry. Glad at least her and your goslings are getting along. so she has company.

Gosh, I sure hope this isn't contagious

Just joking of course. Sorry to hear you have one hurting also. I hope she heals soon.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Gosh, I sure hope this isn't contagious

Just joking of course. Sorry to hear you have one hurting also. I hope she heals soon.

Thanks Ren. and I hope it isn't contagious either I don't think I could stand it if all 10 of my girls started doing this.