Treating ducklings for coccidiosis, help!

[MartinezChix]

Last week I got 4 new chicks and 3 ducklings. Last year I had a chick die from coccidiosis. I'm new to ducklings this year, but it appears one of my ducklings might have coccidiosis, (groggy, stumbling, hardly walking, unable to hold its head up when sleeping, and sleeping with its eyes open). I have sulfadimethoxine, but I'm wondering how much to mix with their water? I'm going to treat all the new chicks and ducks, because they have been in the same bin for playtime a few times a day.

 

[Amykins]

Oh no, the poor thing! I hope he gets better...do you happen to have a kitchen scale? Can you tell me how many ounces he is? @Amiga , @casportpony , do you still have those dosing by weight charts handy?

 

[MartinezChix]

Oh no, the poor thing! I hope he gets better...do you happen to have a kitchen scale? Can you tell me how many ounces he is? @Amiga
, @casportpony
, do you still have those dosing by weight charts handy?

I don't have a kitchen scale. If I wanted to treat all 3, by mixing meds with their water, do you have a measurement for that, this is their waterer.

 

[MartinezChix]

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[Amiga]

This is in Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks, first edition

In general, coccidiostats manufactured for chickens and turkeys will also be effective for ducks. (One of the safest for ducks is Amprolium, often sold under the names Amprol and Corid.) These preparations can be added to feed or drinking water and are usually available from feed stores and poultry supply dealers. However, the recommended dosages for chickens and turkeys should be reduced by approximately one-third to one-half for ducks, since waterfowl consume greater quantities of feed and water and overdoses of some coccidiostats can be deadly.

 

[MartinezChix]

Thank you, that's very helpful. Unfortunately, our sick duckling was found dead this morning. It all happened really fast, she got sick and died all within like 24 hours. I'm not sure exactly what she had, but I read about Aspergillosis (respiratory infection). What's your knowledge about that?

 

[freenerik]

I just lost one on Sunday to a suspected case of Aspergillosis my duckling had been showing signs of something going on for a few days, sleeping a lot, not gaining weight like the others slower feather growth then the day before the little one started gasping looked almost like something was stuck in its throat. I had no idea what was going on then the next day it had passed away. After looking up the behavior I'am sure that it died from Aspergillosis. Since them I have moved the other 2 ducklings into my daughters bathtub since it is much bigger then ours (she is not happy) and am using cheap dollar tree towels I can clean daily hoping the other 2 will make it. I dont think I will ever use bedding and a box again even though I was cleaning often with the dampness I think mold grew under the bedding inside the box.

 

[MartinezChix]

I just lost one on Sunday to a suspected case of Aspergillosis my duckling had been showing signs of something going on for a few days, sleeping a lot, not gaining weight like the others slower feather growth then the day before the little one started gasping looked almost like something was stuck in its throat. I had no idea what was going on then the next day it had passed away. After looking up the behavior I'am sure that it died from Aspergillosis. Since them I have moved the other 2 ducklings into my daughters bathtub since it is much bigger then ours (she is not happy) and am using cheap dollar tree towels I can clean daily hoping the other 2 will make it. I dont think I will ever use bedding and a box again even though I was cleaning often with the dampness I think mold grew under the bedding inside the box. 

Aw, I'm sorry you lost one too. I switched from pine shavings to towels as well. After further research, I think my duckling might have died from Duck Virus Hepatitis, I found her in that "arched backward" position. The night before, I would hold her and her head would drop forward and dangle there, eyes wide open. Then I'd pet her or move her and she's look normal. She also wouldn't walk much, when she did she was wobbly. The other two are larger and doing well. Bums me out to lose any.

 

[freenerik]

This is my first time brooding ducklings and to lose on is just awful. I brood chicks every year and lose 1 or 2 but always in the first few days. To have a baby for 3 weeks and lose it that's tough.

 

[Amiga]

From what I read, the aspergillis takes longer than a day to be lethal, though with littles, things probably can overwhelm them more quickly.

It is rough to lose them at any age.