Duck Worming........What do I use ?

[blumoonduckmama]

Good Morning! I am a brand new member and a brand new duckling mom. My Flying Mallard ducklings will be three weeks old soon. I have been keeping them in a large dog crate, and anticipate moving them outside within two weeks. It has been chilly here in southern Pa. I have a brand new covered enclosure to place them in once the weather becomes more temperate. Meanwhile I have been letting them swim in a small sink and have noticed that they are oiling themselves well. I have been feeding them kale, non medicated crumbles and cottage cheese as a treat.

My question for you all is this. Once my husband tills my garden I thought I would let my ducklings out for a worm forage. I read somewhere that I must worm my ducks twice yearly once they start eating worms and such. What do I use, where should I purchase it and at what age should I begin the worming process?

I have found the sticky post on feeding ducks very valuable and commend the author! Thanks for the help!

 

[zooweemama]

I haven't wormed mine yet. They all seem of a healthy weight and are laying very well. Their feather coats are nice. So I have just chosen not to yet. I think before I wormed them I would take a poop sample to my vet and ask him to run it. If it showed a parasite load I would probably worm with Ivermectin (works for us but some choose to use others). It would just depend on what parasites my ducks were infested with really.

 

[jdywntr]

I think before I wormed them I would take a poop sample to my vet and ask him to run it.

This is exactly the right thing to do. Ducks are usually pretty healthy and have good immunity to many internal parasites. Experts recommend deworming only if there is an infestation, which would be found in a fecal exam by a veterinarian.

Best thing is to collect fecal samples from several different individuals, mix them together and then have the vet take a look. That way you are getting a clear picture of what your whole flock may have.

Indiscriminant worming can reduce their natural immunity.

 

[zooweemama]

This is exactly the right thing to do. Ducks are usually pretty healthy and have good immunity to many internal parasites. Experts recommend deworming only if there is an infestation, which would be found in a fecal exam by a veterinarian.

Best thing is to collect fecal samples from several different individuals, mix them together and then have the vet take a look. That way you are getting a clear picture of what your whole flock may have.

Indiscriminant worming can reduce their natural immunity.

Genius! It simply never occurred to me to do this! Thanks!

 

[Lilyt]

There is a vet that tends to ducks??? What a luxury. I still haven't figured out how we can live in the "country" and not have a vet that knows anything about poultry. if you ask one of the local vets about a problem or care of a duck, they look at you like you're out of your mind!!! I just wing it . . . lol . . . so to speak.
Good luck with the babies!! I love my ducks!

 

[zooweemama]

My vet doesn't per se. But I asked their office of they could still do stool sample testing for any of my feathered livestock. They said absolutely. Less than $20.

 

[Quack Addict]

Quote:
We live in a rural area and talked to our vet about a duck that had been injured in a way we couldn't care for ourselves. He was very matter of fact about it and told us that to most of his customers it was not cost effective to get vet service costing at a minimum $50 for livestock that is replaceable for $5. Out here in the country ducks and chickens are not thought of as pets so most care is done by the owner or not at all. Not heartless or cruel, just simple economics.

 

[Miss Lydia]

In Storeys guide to raising Ducks, it says " under normal circumstances, ducks have good to excellent resistance to most internal and external parasites. However, ducks that consume an inadaquate diet or are crowded or forced to live in a filthy environment are more suseptiable to parasites."

 

[new duck mom]

Good Morning!  I am a brand new member and a brand new duckling mom.   My Flying Mallard ducklings will be three weeks old soon.  I have been keeping them in a large dog crate, and anticipate moving them outside within two weeks.  It has been chilly here in southern Pa.  I have a brand new covered enclosure to place them in once the weather becomes more temperate.  Meanwhile I have been letting them swim in a small sink and have noticed that they are oiling themselves well.  I have been feeding them kale, non medicated crumbles and cottage cheese as a treat.  

My question for you all is this.  Once my husband tills my garden I thought I would let my ducklings out for a worm forage.  I read somewhere that I must worm my ducks twice yearly once they start eating worms and such.  What do I use, where should I purchase it and at what age should I begin the worming process?

I have found the sticky post on feeding ducks very valuable and commend the author!  Thanks for the help!

Where do u defund these stickies? With all the info on ducks? Everyone says read the stickies I dnt know what they are

 

[Quack Addict]

Quote:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/256233/ducks-sticky-topics-index