URGENT~ SOFT SHELLED EGGS AND A LETHARGIC DUCK!!!

[Speceider]

The scale you use doesn't really matter, the main thing is to weigh on the same scale at the same time of day....there are daily and seasonal changes in body mass (you measure mass, not weight), and by using the same scale and same time of day, you can have an idea what is "normal" and how it has changed.

Clint

 

[mara1]

Hi Nicole did you call the vet this am to get the supplies you need to tube feed? If she is drinking try to make a very watery soups(blender) with different ingredients and see if she'll drink it down. If your having to fight her just to get small amounts of food down you probably should go ahead and tube feed her. The time it takes to get one bite down you could have already given her a small meal. Shes already stressing for tiny amount of nutrients.

 

[PetDuck]

I don't want to really force feed her. I think she would never forgive me if I stuck a tube down her throat. She already bites my if I go near her head because when the vet would give her antibiotic shots, someone would hold her head to make sure didn't bite and now she won't let anyone near her head except my dad. (which is weird because she usually doesn't like my dad that much.) I am scared I would completely sever our trust!

She would hate me. Wouldn't it be uncomfortable to have a tube stuck down her throat?

 

[mara1]

If she is really losing weight as your describing it might be your only choice. You have to remember shes only 5 lbs. You use a soft rubber tube and she gets a small meal at one time then remove the tube. You can spoil her later when shes better. Being the source of food when animal is hungry has a way smoothing over most issues.

 

[Haunted55]

Petduck, sometimes we have to do the right thing whether it is with our animals or later with our chilcren. They are our responsibility no matter what. What Mara1 told you is the absolute truth. Feed her and she has a good chance of getting better. If you don't she could get to a point where she can't come back. I'm so very sorry, but this is the truth. The info you've been given for the feeding with the tube is excellent and trust me very easy to do once you get past the scared. Trust me, I was terrified the first time I did it. You will get beyond that and so will your bird.

 

[PetDuck]

How did your bird react? Did he/she freak out?

Quackers followed me around as I lifted up rocks around our flower bed and ate the bugs out from under them. She seemed to have perked up a little bit so I thought that was a pretty good sign.

 

[duckcrazy]

I have a 6 year old lame pekin duck that lays about 1 egg a week and it has no shell. I went to a Poultry class taught by an animal science professor and he said that older ducks can do this when they are getting ready to stop laying. Does this sound right to you? She never showed any signs of being sick.

 

[mara1]

Unfortunately we can't physically see Quakers or know what is normal for her. Ultimately your gonna have to make that decision. Just make sure her food intake is enough to sustain her. You have already put in all this effort to get her the best help including driving half way across the state. You might want to take her to the vet so you can see if she did lose weight get the instruction and supplies on how to tube feed and discuss any other options to make her better. You may not have to tube feed but if you do you will at least have the supplies on hand and the knowledge to do so. If you wait until everything is closed and she turns for the worst all you will be able to do sit on the side line and hope. I only say this because it seems by your posts that she seems to feel better one moment than down and depressed the next. I'm not trying to make you feel guilty. You consider Quakers your pet and friend. In a large flock where the ducks are live stock a duck with these issues might just get culled which would probably be the right thing to do in their situation.

I really do hope she gets better.
Let us know how she progresses.

x2 haunted55

 

[PetDuck]

Alright, I will tell my dad, he is the one who doesn't really think it is a good idea. I know that it is probably best for her so I will do anything to help her. I will talk to the vet and my dad to figure out a game plan on this situation. My dad seems to think she is getting a bit better. I will tell him what you said because it does seem like every time she gets better, she goes back downhill.

 

[PetDuck]

I have a 6 year old lame pekin duck that lays about 1 egg a week and it has no shell. I went to a Poultry class taught by an animal science professor and he said that older ducks can do this when they are getting ready to stop laying. Does this sound right to you? She never showed any signs of being sick.

Quackers is only 1 year and a half old though.