Unexplained duck loss

[Spiase20]

I had a Sweet sweet crested drake Pekin duck and I noticed around the afternoon that he was acting strange (walking sluggishly, excessively cuddle and needing to be held). Then I saw him experience a seizure and from that point, he has had about 5 in an hour. And noticed watery yellowish poop, mostly water.

I aim afraid it may be botulism? I put him in a dog crate with wee wee pads, a food bowl and electrolyte water. I also started him on a active charcoal solution (charcoal powder from capsules in some water that I put in a syringe and gave to him). He has had it twice so far in the span of 3-4 hours, about 6 capsules (3 syringes). The following morning I went to check on him around 5 am and he was barely moving and could not really hold his head up. I held him in my arms as I tried called emergency vets (none had a avian expert working the day before and was hoping that one came in that morning) and then he threw his head and neck back and died in my arms.

I don't understand how this happened. He just turned two years old with his 3 girl ducks. All were healthy and then in a span of 12 hours he got sick and died. The 3 females are perfectly fine health wise (I gave them activated charcoal on melon just in case) but sad and mourning him. Everyday I spray the coop down and clean it 2 times a day. They have a pond in the coop that is pumped and filtered and treated with some chlorine. There feed is dispensed in a pipe that flows down to a horizontal pipe and that keeps the food flowing and prevents trapped feed and mold growing. Any fallen feed would go in a tray, which I would dump and wash every 3 days. The flooring is wood with vinyl on top and then thick puzzle play mats that I keep clean and spray with vinegar.

They have a limited grass run space that I let them out in 2 times a day. There is no stagnant water there.

There are flies around this time of year (SC is humid and hot) and no amount of fly traps will keep them away.

Does anyone have any idea how this happened? I am so devastated, crying constantly and just utterly heart broken. He was such a sweet boy. He cuddles to me all the time and was so gentle to his girls and funny. Could it have something to do with the crest? He never had any issues before.

It breaks my heart to see the girls so sad. Watermelon doesn't even appeal to them and they seem lost and scared without him their protector.

I would love another male drake like him but know that the chances to find a grown sweetheart like him is one in a million.

What did I do wrong? I can't help running all the possibilities in my mind and blame myself.

Why do I keep losing them? I lost one to a king snake 2 years ago and my first two to a while animal breaking in 3 years ago. Since then we have fortified and built them a duck heaven with a pond inside.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

I am very sorry for your loss. Because of the hole in the skull that causes the crest in crested ducks they often have neurological problems. It's actually around 82% of crested ducks that end up with Intracranial lipomas because of this. Seizures are not an uncommon side effect and it sounds like his death was due to a neurological issue. If you wanted to 100% know for sure you can send his body of for a necropsy.

 

[SolarDuck]

So sorry for your loss.

 

[WIchickMama]

Yes, so sorry!

 

[Sierra67]

I have to agree on the fact that it’s because he was crested. They are known to have lots of issues and that’s why people are trying so hard to stop breeding them

 

[Spiase20]

The only reason I thought it way Butolism was because I read about the way the ducks passed away with the head and neck thrown back in a certain position, limber neck and not able to hold head up. So this may happen in other cases as well?

 

[HollowOfWisps]

The only reason I thought it way Butolism was because I read about the way the ducks passed away with the head and neck thrown back in a certain position, limber neck and not able to hold head up. So this may happen in other cases as well?

Yes Intracranial lipomas can cause torticollis (twisted neck and the inability to hold it).

 

[Spiase20]

Thank you for answering my questions. I wish I thought of doing the necropsy before we buried him yesterday. I just don't have to heart to un-bury him.

I never knew about the issues crested ducks had until after I got him, and then after 2 years, thought he was a lucky one.

My three girls are not taking his loss well either. They will eat a little when I coherence them. They stay in on area of the coop scared, they are used to him being the leader and protector.

I hope in time I may be able to find another drake for them. I'm currently 26 weeks pregnant and can't raise a male duckling in the house at the moment. I would also have to get two. My husband wants to move to Europe in 2 years and while he accepted us shipping our 4 ducks, 5 is too much for him.

It's too early at the moment but I want to keep a look out for a really special affectionate and kind drake that may need a home. Pixie, my drake, was extraordinary. He would sit in my lap and cuddle to me, put his neck and head on my shoulder and snuggle. If I didn't give him enough love, he would demand it, following me around (he wasn't imprinted on me at all, I just spent every day with him and we developed this relationship). He was always kind and gentle to the girls, guarding them, never attacking and was even not rough with mating.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Thank you for answering my questions. I wish I thought of doing the necropsy before we buried him yesterday. I just don't have to heart to un-bury him.

I never knew about the issues crested ducks had until after I got him, and then after 2 years, thought he was a lucky one.

My three girls are not taking his loss well either. They will eat a little when I coherence them. They stay in on area of the coop scared, they are used to him being the leader and protector.

I hope in time I may be able to find another drake for them. I'm currently 26 weeks pregnant and can't raise a male duckling in the house at the moment. I would also have to get two. My husband wants to move to Europe in 2 years and while he accepted us shipping our 4 ducks, 5 is too much for him.

It's too early at the moment but I want to keep a look out for a really special affectionate and kind drake that may need a home. Pixie, my drake, was extraordinary. He would sit in my lap and cuddle to me, put his neck and head on my shoulder and snuggle. If I didn't give him enough love, he would demand it, following me around (he wasn't imprinted on me at all, I just spent every day with him and we developed this relationship). He was always kind and gentle to the girls, guarding them, never attacking and was even not rough with mating.

He sounds like he was a very special duck I would recommend checking your local craigslist farm and garden section. There are adult drakes listed in our area everyday and often they are free or less than $10. Many are looking for a good pet home where they will be loved and not end up butchered.

 

[Spiase20]

I will keep my eyes open.

I have another question. This has been the second day since my drake Pixie died. The 3 girls are grieving. They stay in the same area of the large coop, barely eat anything at all and other than one or two bites of the watermelon, won't eat it.

I try to make sure I spend time with them and re-assure them they are safe and convince them to eat.

How long can this last? Should I be worried? I know I am still mourning his loss and can't imagine how they feel. I worry that they barely even nibble their food.