The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: doreen on September 14, 2012, 02:46:10 pm
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I have hens and muscovy ducks. Over the past 4 weeks 3 hens and 2 muscovy ducks have died. They appear fine then go wobbly ,gradually go off their legs then after 2 days die. All seem to be eating and drinking o.k.then the wings seem to droop, and they appear to be very subdued,then die. Anyone got any ideas. The hens have been wormed 3 weeks ago and treated for redspidermite 4 weeks ago.
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i would check the symptoms of coccidiosis.
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Get some antibiotic in the water ASAP.
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I'd think cocci too, given that it's affecting both ducks and hens, so won't be Mareks or DHV. Do the hens have the runs? Hard to tell with ducks!
You could just treat them for it. I know, before anyone says, you shouldn't just treat but what is she to do, wait for more to die?
The effective treatment for coccidiosis you have to get from the vet. Baycox or Intradine. Don't bother with Coxoid, which you can buy online, it doesn't kill the bugs, just stops them breeding, which is not enough when you've got an outbreak.
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Drooping wings is a classic sign of Mareks disease.
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But Mercks vet manual says ducks don't get Mareks.
I guess drooping wings could just be a sign of being exhausted and ill?
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In my experience I would go with cocci. I had the same thing earlier this year and lost a dutch bantam and a big muscovy drake. I got some Baycox from the vet and treated everything. Now I put cider apple vinegar in their water to improve general digestion and make their guts a little more hostile to nasties. Hope you get sorted very soon, it's disheartening to lose birds. :bouquet:
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Many thanks to all who gave such good advice about my dying stock. Started Cider Apple Vinegar, antibiotics start tomorrow.No more deaths at the moment.