After chickens, ducks have become a popular choice for birds by breeders everywhere. By default, and in comparison to their other bird livestock companions, ducks have a strong immune system that does not allow them to get easily infected by harmful diseases and illnesses.
However, a healthy duck does not guarantee a bulletproof immune system against illnesses. Ducks, much like humans, will get sick at some point in their lives – and it is the breeder’s responsibility to treat the illness to speed up the recovery. There are multiple ways to treat an ill duck, and it depends on the illnesses themselves.
However, to prevent them from catching illnesses in the first place, there are several routines breeders could adopt to strengthen their immune system and combat the bacterias and viruses in the first place. So, without further ado, here are several ways to prevent your ducks from catching illnesses.
- Stress Management
Similar to humans, stress plays an important role in a duck’s retention to illnesses. Due to this, breeders should keep a careful eye on their duck’s stress level, and make sure that it is kept on the lower spectrum. Breeders could adopt therapeutic routines, such as sanitising and cleaning their living areas, to mellow down a duck’s stress levels.
Before adopting these routines, breeders should get to the root of the problem. Ducks happen to be prone to stress, so it is wise that breeders identify what caused said stress to be able to tailor a direct action against it. Most ducks experience a form of discomfort when they are suddenly relocated in foreign areas, do not get access to play around waters, or socialising with aggressive ducks.
As of now, ducks do not have prescribed medication to reduce their stress levels. However, if you are especially concerned with your duck’s stress levels, it is advised that you consult medical professionals just to see what they could provide to you.
2. Lack of Vitamin A
Vitamin A is an important vitamin ducks must have sufficient levels of to maintain an overall healthy growth. Ducks lacking vitamin A are much more prone to fatigue, a poor legs and feet health, will produce concerning pale white mucus, and catch illnesses easily. More so, a duck’s reproductive system and their abilities to reproduce Breeders can provide extra vitamin A supplements to help keep the consistent level.
3. Brooder Pneumonia
Brooder Pneumonia is a, illness that commonly targets younger ducks with soft furs. The illness is spread by eye contact within an overcrowded living space, an artificial lightbulb lit post birth that is not warm enough to help with their growth, and an overall drop in temperature in their living spaces.
As mentioned, there are many causes behind the illnesses, so knowing the root of the problem will help speed up their recovery process. For example, if the cause of the illness is due to the cramped living spaces, breeders should construct a bigger cage for them to live in. If it’s due to the cold temperature, breeders should install warmer lights. However, in the unfortunate chance your ducklings have caught the illnesses, breeders could feed them a mixture of 1 spoon of soda and 1 squart (1,136 liters) of water for 12 hours to reduce the effects.
4. Rickets Duck
Rickets Duck is an illness caused by insufficient levels of vitamin D, calcium, and phosphor which will cause bone vulnerability and other related illnesses. The cure and prevention is as obvious as it is: an increased intake of calcium, phosphore, and vitamin D. Additionally, if breeders have the access to purchase this, breeders could sneak in 2% bone powder into their feed.
5. Antibiotika Dermatitis
Antibiotika Dermatitis is caused by an overdose on antibiotics. As a result, a duck’s skin will dry out, shed, and itch due to dehydration and a chemical imbalance in their bodies. This illness is a warning to all breeders that being too careful and acting out before prior research could do more harm than good.
To reduce their effects, breeders should immediately stop the antibiotic prescription immediately. Afterwards, it is advised that breeders feed their ducks a form of light laxatives (such as molasses) to regain their stamina and flush the toxins out.
6. Mycosis
Mycosis is a disease caused by feeding on expired rotten food. Rotten food will trigger food poisoning amongst your ducks, which will then lead to dehydration and extreme fatigue. One way to prevent this is to routinely clean and change their living stations so ensure that your duck is provided with new and clean feeding materials. As responsible breeders, you have to ensure that your ducks are being fed the right healthy materials.
7. Botulism
Botulism (or limberneck) happens when a duck has consumed raw meat such as snails. As the name goes, botulism is when a duck’s neck weakens. This very specific group of raw meat contains “clastrididium botulinium” that contains dangerous toxins that causes the illness. If left untreated, ducks could have further damage which could even lead to death.
. As the name goes, botulism is when a duck’s neck weakens. This very specific group of raw meat contains “clastrididium botulinium” that contains dangerous toxins that causes the illness. If left untreated, ducks could have further damage which could even lead to death.
To prevent this cause of tragic death, breeders should keep a close eye on their feeding station and what goes into their farm’s feed. If in the unfortunate situation when your duck has caught the illness, breeders are advised to mix in coconut oil in their drinking waters.
8. Sodium Poisoning
It may seem strange at first, but too much salt intake could lead to poisoning. This illness especially occurs to ducks living in the beach sides. To prevent this from happening, breeders should monitor their nutritional intake and feed their farm a low-sodium diet.
9. Fowl Cholera
Fowl Cholera is caused by a type of bacteria called “Pasteurella Avicia”. To prevent from catching this illness, breeders must ensure that their duck’s living spaces are kept clean and sanitised. More so, it is also advised that breeders vaccinate their ducks against the disease. As for first aid, breeders could provide over-the-counter medication that contains Choramphenicol, Tetracycline or Preparat-preparat Sulfat.
10. Fowl Pox (Measels)
Similar to humans, the main cause of measels is due to a virus infection. Symptoms to this illness may include small bumps on their feet and head. To prevent this from happening, be sure to consult medical professionals to have your ducks vaccinated against the disease. More so, that is if you have caught yourself in the unfortunate situation, you could cover said bumps with Yodium tingture (6-10%).
11. White Eye
Ducks of all ages can catch the white eye disease, so it is wise to get them vaccinated as early as possible. However, the cure to the white eye disease is to feed them Oxytetracycline (terramycin) or Chlortetracycline (aureomycins) with a dose of 10 gram per 100 kg of feed.
12. Coccidiosis
The Coccidiosis disease attacks ducks of all ages, and would decrease their appetite as a result. To regain their health appetite and prevent your ducks from catching the disease, breeders could feed their ducks an appetite boosting supplement that you could purchase at your nearest pet store.
13. Coryza
Coryza is an contagious flu that can be prevented by injecting 0.4 grams of “Streptomycin Sulphat” into their system. However, if you find that your ducks has already caught the disease, be sure to consult medical professionals to have them help tailor a recovery routine.
So there you have it, ways to prevent your ducks from catching illnesses. We have provided you just several examples of illnesses and how to prevent them, but certainly not all. If you’re still in doubt, or are caught in an unfamiliar situation, it is best that you consult medical professionals immediately for help.