Water Belly?
I think I have a couple of khaki campbells with the condition.
The internet gives conflicting information on treatment. Has anyone advice please.
One duck is really lethargic and has problems getting up the small 10 cm step into the shed at night. The other just looks big with no effects on walking or behaviour.
I still have a soft eggshell problem, this must be due to something they pick up I guess as I got some chickens and they sufferred from it too.
I mix oyster shell with their food and they do take it in. I give them around 5kg every 150kg of layers pellets. I guess this might be a lot for free range ducks with no treats? There is little residue overall though, they seem to vary the shell intake to suit themselves as indicated when the batch of feed is eaten.
kwackers
Sunday, May 12th, 2024 There isn't anything that can cure it. They are suffering a heart condition that results in hypertension, this effects the liver that produces a discharge that collects in the abdomen. It can be drained to relieve their suffering but it will reoccur.
Glyn
Sunday, May 12th, 2024 Thanks, that's the more common internet diagnosis. I saw a description of using a syringe to drain the fluid inserted into the lh side of the abdomen. Have you seen this done?
The idea seems straightforward, but I have never used a syringe in my life, so am not too confident that some of the advice on websites is going to be the best treatment for the duck.
The place I buy the layers pellets does veterinary supplies, and I am tempted to "have a go".
I suppose I could try her out on some of my many BP medications :-)
Did you ever see it done or do it yourself Glyn?
If you had the problem or have seen it treated, any suggestions would be appreciated by myself and no doubt the duck too.
kwackers
Sunday, May 12th, 2024 I have never seen it done, most people assume they won't be productive and dispose of them. I did know someone who went to the vet to do it but the bird was never really happy and had to keep going back more and more regularly. I would be very nervous using a syringe in the abdomen because of the danger of peritonitis.
Glyn
Sunday, May 12th, 2024 Thanks, I have never visited the vet with the ducks, from the bills I had with my pooch a few years back I would guess that it would not be a route that was sensible. They are "pets" but the idea is that the egg sales enable me to break even for feed, there is little left over.
I have been putting off the cull of drakes for a very long time now, so it's time to get my act in order I suppose and sharpen the axe.
I bought a traffic cone, looked at the broom handle technique and even designed and built an electrical stunner, but never used any apart from an extremely sharp axe.
I still detest the job though :-(
Thanks for the advice.
kwackers
kwackers
Sunday, May 12th, 2024
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Water Belly?
I think I have a couple of khaki campbells with the condition.
The internet gives conflicting information on treatment. Has anyone advice please.
One duck is really lethargic and has problems getting up the small 10 cm step into the shed at night. The other just looks big with no effects on walking or behaviour.
I still have a soft eggshell problem, this must be due to something they pick up I guess as I got some chickens and they sufferred from it too.
I mix oyster shell with their food and they do take it in. I give them around 5kg every 150kg of layers pellets. I guess this might be a lot for free range ducks with no treats? There is little residue overall though, they seem to vary the shell intake to suit themselves as indicated when the batch of feed is eaten.
Sunday, May 12th, 2024
There isn't anything that can cure it. They are suffering a heart condition that results in hypertension, this effects the liver that produces a discharge that collects in the abdomen. It can be drained to relieve their suffering but it will reoccur.
Sunday, May 12th, 2024
Thanks, that's the more common internet diagnosis. I saw a description of using a syringe to drain the fluid inserted into the lh side of the abdomen. Have you seen this done?
The idea seems straightforward, but I have never used a syringe in my life, so am not too confident that some of the advice on websites is going to be the best treatment for the duck.
The place I buy the layers pellets does veterinary supplies, and I am tempted to "have a go".
I suppose I could try her out on some of my many BP medications :-)
Did you ever see it done or do it yourself Glyn?
If you had the problem or have seen it treated, any suggestions would be appreciated by myself and no doubt the duck too.
Sunday, May 12th, 2024
I have never seen it done, most people assume they won't be productive and dispose of them. I did know someone who went to the vet to do it but the bird was never really happy and had to keep going back more and more regularly. I would be very nervous using a syringe in the abdomen because of the danger of peritonitis.
Sunday, May 12th, 2024
Thanks, I have never visited the vet with the ducks, from the bills I had with my pooch a few years back I would guess that it would not be a route that was sensible. They are "pets" but the idea is that the egg sales enable me to break even for feed, there is little left over.
I have been putting off the cull of drakes for a very long time now, so it's time to get my act in order I suppose and sharpen the axe.
I bought a traffic cone, looked at the broom handle technique and even designed and built an electrical stunner, but never used any apart from an extremely sharp axe.
I still detest the job though :-(
Thanks for the advice.
kwackers
Sunday, May 12th, 2024