Dr_Eyeball
In the Brooder
- Feb 5, 2023
- 5
- 26
- 39
Hi. I have recently bought 3 Muscovy ducklings about 10 days ago.
(I also have 2 chickens and have had more of both in the past.)
If you find any similar images or relevant information or can advise on such issues, please let me know. It would be much appreciated. Thank you.
(I might close the topic in a few weeks.)
(I also have 2 chickens and have had more of both in the past.)
The situation:
- The ducklings are roughly 4, 6 & 8 weeks old. The oldest is also significantly larger, so I suspect it is a drake.
- The oldest has some sort of foot infection and possibly a bill infection too.
- The other 2 ducklings are perfectly healthy (and I have never had ducks with any problems in the past).
- Although one of the other ducklings might have the same bill infection - unsure.
- I do worry whether the other 2 ducklings could become infected through contact, water tubs or bedding.
The symptoms & observations:
- I do not think it is a bumblefoot infection since it does not resemble it at all.
- It might be a fungal infection. What might treat that?
- I cannot find any other duck images online with the same problem.
- It is mainly affecting the webbed areas of the foot.
- When the foot closes, it is difficult to see the problem.
- The foot infections resemble a flaky brown crust, which seems to be more on the surface than embedded.
- The amount of crust varies over several days - where parts seem to heal with pink skin underneath but then appear to become affected again.
- The bill infection resembles a smooth light-brown crust.
The environment & shared areas:
- The ducklings have access to 2 small tubs of plain tap water for wading and washing.
- Eg. size: 30 x 40 x H20 cm.
- The water is replenished during the day and the tubs are cleaned every night.
- The affected duckling tends to avoid entering the tubs but it washes in a tub at least once a day.
- The affected duckling walks fairly well but struggles slightly and tends to sit for 80% of the day. It can run well too.
- The excessive sitting makes me suspect it can feel some pain or discomfort from the problem.
- It will splash its bill around in the water most of the day without hesitation, so hopefully no discomfort there.
- During the day, they walk on the grass. During the night, they sleep on bamboo hay.
If you find any similar images or relevant information or can advise on such issues, please let me know. It would be much appreciated. Thank you.
(I might close the topic in a few weeks.)