treating duck with tetracycline - 3 ducks drinking the water - 1 went broody - birth defects?

[mettafour]

So, because I am treating one duck with tetracycline, but don't have her penned up for a week because I didn't want to put any more stress on her, all 3 ducks that drink the water are ending up getting treated. I had a broody duck that has gone behind a board that is difficult to get to that has about 5 eggs in her nest and she won't come out. Now I could pen her up so that she can't get anymore of that water, but those are eggs that we weren't even going to eat because of the antibiotic. Would it be a horrible idea to let her try to hatch them out? Does it cause birth defects? Etc? Thanks!

 

[Amiga]

Mercy, I wish I had more experience with broodies and antibiotics!! MInd if I ask what the treatment is for? Sorry to read that you are having such challenges.

I wonder if you added (will this cause birth defects?) in the title of the thread if someone might jump in to answer that specific question.

At times my more specific questions have received better responses. But sometimes the people I hope will answer my questions are simply away from their computers for a day or two.

 

[mettafour]

Thanks! I will edit the title. I am treating one because she began limping, it isn't broken, not bumblefoot, she began breathing heavy on and off... I upped her niacin and began giving her essential oils that are known to be natural antibiotics, penned her up off and on for 2 weeks, which didn't help her because she was extremely unhappy to be left in and was either trying to get out of her pen or finding ways to break out. So, this was my last resort. I didn't want to give her any, but I want her to get well.

 

[Amiga]

I share your concerns and agree that sometimes going with antibiotics seems to be the best way.

The only time I gave antibiotics was with a dropper, so I only treated one duck. Which is good, since I had ten at that time.

 

[mettafour]

That would have been ideal. Unfortunately, the farm and feed store only had this in a powder form. I guess I could have figured out how to give her that in that form. I may go ahead and do that for the remaining week. I would really prefer to do that, though, I can guarantee you, she won't.

 

[Amiga]

Yes, ducks don't always cooperate with our efforts to help them. . .