What do you do with the body of the duck who died?

[Sarynu]

Well... I know some of them grind them up whole for cat/dog food.

This wouldn't work for sick ones though. At least I hope. I'm quite repulsed by the entire thing.

I have heard about such things. Oh, it's so horrible. We became vegan, then vegetarian, because of those reasons. I just can't eat dead animals. I've heard of a lot of horrible things, there are also some really great documentaries on Netflix.

 

[KaleIAm]

We compost or cremate them ourselves. Some people squirm at the idea, but in my mind I don't see how it's any worse than letting them rot in a hole.

I completely agree.

I have heard about such things. Oh, it's so horrible. We became vegan, then vegetarian, because of those reasons. I just can't eat dead animals. I've heard of a lot of horrible things, there are also some really great documentaries on Netflix.

Yes, me too. I can't support that.

 

[Duck Lady1]

I'm emotionally attached but not like I was to my dog of ten years. So I'm simply looking for a simply way. Actually I'm hoping to save the poor dear.

My neighbor and her daughter are helping me take turns with getting him to drink. She has a syringe so we're getting more liquid down.

I really think he could make it if we keep at it. His feathers and down look clean. His poop is normal. He seems to WANT to get up and move.

The foamy eyes tells me he's got some sort of infection. So I'm hoping for a recovery.

 

[casportpony]

As for the quantity of fluids, he needs no less than 5% of his body weight per day, and closer to 10% would be better.

5% = 23 ml per pounds of bodyweight (180 ml per 8 pounds)
10% = 46 ml per pounds of bodyweight (360 ml per 8 pounds)

Before giving fluids, the bird must be warm, then give warmed fluids (~102 degrees). Do not force-feed food until the bird is properly hydrated because force-feeding dehydrated birds can kill them.

Step 1:
Bring duck inside and place in a warm room, 80-85 degrees is ideal (watch for signs of over-heating).

Step 2:
Weigh the duck

Step 3:
Once warmed, correct hydration and this should not be done until the duck is warmed up. Tube warmed (102 degrees) Pedialyte or Gatorade at 14 ml per pound of body weight, wait 60-90 minutes and repeat. If no poop is produced by 3 hours after first tubing, repeat once more.

Step 4:
Once the duck is pooping you can start tubing warmed Kaytee Exact baby bird food or a non-lay crumble (lay crumble has too much calcium). Start by tubing 14 ml per pound of body weight and increase a little at each feeding. Do not exceed 23 ml per pound of body weight. Sick birds are tube fed 2-4 times a day.


"Tube feeding, also known as gavage feeding, is an essential part of avian supportive care. Sick birds are often presented with a history of anorexia, and glycogen stores may be depleted within hours in the granivore (including psitacine, passerine and galliform species) secondary to a relatively high metabolic rate. Another important indication for gavage feeding is a documented drop in body weight of 5% to 10%."
Source: https://lafeber.com/vet/tube-feeding-birds/

 

[Duck Lady1]

Thank you.

This is great timing as the neighbor was just asking me to ask you this information.

We had been mixing food in with the water but very lightly so that he's getting about 95% water with traces of duck food in it.

I don't have a scale but already he feels closer to normal weight now. This morning he was light as a feather but with the neighbor's help, he's heavier now.

1 - If we go over 10% with the water will that hurt him?
2 - now that he has more water in him can we start food?

He keeps trying to get up and walk. I think he really wants to live.

 

[Duck Lady1]

As far as keeping him warm - we're in the Carolinas and it's 95 deg outside. I brought him outside bc inside he was rolling around and knocking water everywhere and getting wet.

With it being 77 in my house he was probably colder inside.

 

[casportpony]

How much do you think he weighs?

 

[Duck Lady1]

I used my bathroom scale and he was 8 pounds - but he was also wet at the time. - he's a giant peking

Also I can't afford a vet but the neighbor has some antibiotics she wants to mix in the food. I told her no. Should I have let her? I mean, he's probably not going to make it anyway.

 

[Zen Wildlife Rescuer]

I don't know how to tube feed - how do you do it. When it's been 36 hours of flopping around and eye discharge and labored breathing, do you think there is hope that he can heal? Last night I was still hopeful, but now that he is refusing food and water and more listless, I'm wondering if this much time means he can't get better.

Tube feeding is a very difficult procedure. It’s hard to get it right. I find with my rescues that when they get to a certain point, force feeding stresses them out. Has he seen a vet? Also, have you tried typing his symptoms into google to try and determine what may be wrong with him or have you tried giving him any natural treatment? I know how hard it is to see an animal suffering. If there’s nothing you can do I hope he goes peacefully. (We also bury all animals that pass away. Predators aren’t an issue if you dig the grave deep enough and place pebbles or a stone on the grave.)

 

[Isaac 0]

Tube feeding is a very difficult procedure. It’s hard to get it right. I find with my rescues that when they get to a certain point, force feeding stresses them out.

Welcome to BYC! @Zen Wildlife Rescuer

What kind of birds have you tube-fed? Ducks specifically or something else?

I tube-feed lots of the birds here, single handley, and never have had a problem. It sounds scary, but I find it quite easy to the contrary. The birds don't seem to mind as much as you'd think either.

I used my bathroom scale and he was 8 pounds - but he was also wet at the time. - he's a giant peking

Also I can't afford a vet but the neighbor has some antibiotics she wants to mix in the food. I told her no. Should I have let her? I mean, he's probably not going to make it anyway.

He needs to be hydrated first. Antibiotics do not work very well when a bird is dehydrated, and to add to that, antibiotics tend to taste bad, and are often neglected if put in a feed or water dish.

What kind of antibiotic is this?

I'd really look into getting a tube, you'll be able to get more fluids inside him faster, with more efficiency, and less stress done on his part.

You're not going to be able to adequately get the amount casportpony showed above by dripping drops into his bill. It'll work, I'm sure, but he needs more.