Rescue Duck needs help.

[Waddlewoods]

Hi,

I made a post in the duck section last night but no help yet so figured I would try here.

I picked up a beautiful Snowy Runner Drake last night not knowing he would be in such rough condition but now I feel as though I rescued him from a not so great environment as it looks like he hasn't seen water in awhile. The lady said as she was carrying him to my car "he needs some fresh water, their run is just all mud".

I got home after dark so I put him in my basement in quarantine and gave him a deep water dish with ACV and food. He acts totally fine and seems nice and bright. Eating and drinking.

As you can see his nares are black, eyes and bill crusty and his feathers are gross. Poor guy!

My plan was to bring him outside this morning and give him a nice bath/swim in a separate pool all while my flock is still in the coop. My concern is if this is a respiratory thing and my flock later free ranges as they do everyday and goes in the area where I dumped this guy's bath water can they get sick? I can't risk my flock... We lost so many duckies to racoons this summer and my little son has told me that is anything happens to his fav OG duck he will never smile again.

Any advice would be great! In the years of having ducks none of mine have ever looked like this so this is new for me. I read saline drops to wash his eyes. Some people have said he might be ok after a couple good swims. How do I check for mites? Up until now I have always kept a closed flock for this reason, not to take any chances. Just want to know how to help him while keeping my existing flock safe.

Thank you.

 

[Eggcessive]

Saline (made at home or bought)or an eye wash such as Bausch and Lomb Eye Relief around $4 at Walmart, or Vetericyn eye wash or gel are all okay to use. A warm wet wash cloth may help to soften the crust on eyes or nostrils. Fresh pan of water available may be helpful to wash her face herself. I will tag @Miss Lydia for more help. You can also post on the duck forum above under “Forums.”

 

[Waddlewoods]

Saline or an eye wash such as Bausch and Lomb Eye Relief, or Vetericyn eye wash or gel are all okay to use. A warm wet wash cloth may help to soften the crust on eyes or nostrils. Fresh pan of water available may be helpful to wash her face herself. I will tag @ miss Lydia for more help. You can also post on the duck forum above under “Forums.”

Thank you! I did post in the duck forum last night but not really any help.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Give him plain water no ACV. It’s not respiratory he just has not had access to water deep enough to dunk his entire head so he can clean his eyes and nares. Very common thing unfortunately for people not to be aware that ducks need daily access to plain water deep enough to dunk their heads otherwise what you are seeing is the result. After a week or so of him daily dunking his head it should clear up a lot of what is around his eyes, but his feathers will stay that way until he bolts again.

 

[Waddlewoods]

Give him plain water no ACV. It’s not respiratory he just has not had access to water deep enough to dunk his entire head so he can clean his eyes and nares. Very common thing unfortunately for people not to be aware that ducks need daily access to plain water deep enough to dunk their heads otherwise what you are seeing is the result. After a week or so of him daily dunking his head it should clear up a lot of what is around his eyes, but his feathers will stay that way until he bolts again.

 

[Waddlewoods]

Ok great! Already done that. His nares look much better today already. I will do some warm compresses and saline to help him with his crusty face.

Thanks.

 

[nuthatched]

Thank you! I did post in the duck forum last night but not really any help.

That's because people were asleep, most of the duck people are in mid/ east U.S. You have reply now. ;]

 

[HollowOfWisps]

That's because people were asleep, most of the duck people are in mid/ east U.S. You have reply now. ;]

Agreed I looked and it was about midnight here when the original one was posted. I go to bed at 10pm because I have kids that wake up anywhere from 4:30am-5:30am my sleep is precious

 

[BigBlueHen53]

@Miss Lydia