A common problem faced by duck owners is the death of young ducks on their feet. This phenomenon is explained by many reasons, including infectious diseases, vitamin deficiency, unhealthy diet, etc. Every owner should know what to do if a duckling's legs come apart. If adequate treatment is not provided in time, the bird may die.
Why does a duckling's legs move apart?
Experts identify three main reasons why a duck begins to fall on its feet:
- Unbalanced diet.
- Invasive pathologies.
- Infectious lesion.
Veterinarians also name the following provoking factors:
- imbalance of microelements;
- lack of amino acids;
- avitaminosis;
- poisoning of the body (toxic, chemical, biological);
- violation of maintenance rules (free range rules, provision of a comfortable microclimate, etc.);
- crowding in the room where the ducks are.
If a symptom is detected, it is necessary to examine the animal for damage and other visible manifestations of the disease. If none are found and the problem persists, you should contact your veterinarian.
Unbalanced diet
Improper nutrition provokes vitamin deficiency. Lack of vitamins and minerals leads to the death of ducklings at the age of one month. In addition, young animals suffer from various ailments, the growth of animals slows down, the paws and beak lose color, the mucous membranes become inflamed, and the bird’s paws move apart. Other symptoms of vitamin deficiency include weight loss, lethargy, and changes in behavior - animals begin to pluck each other's feathers.
Invasive pathologies
If a bird's legs are spreading, the cause may be an infection with internal or external parasites. The first category includes worms, the second category includes lice, ticks, and lice. In addition to the above symptoms, a sick duck experiences diarrhea, feathers fall out, appetite disappears, and egg production decreases.
The vital activity of parasites reduces the immunity of the individual, and if left untreated, the duck may die.
Infectious lesion
Infections pose a particular danger because they can cause the death of entire livestock. The most common diseases among ducks are:
- hepatitis;
- salmonellosis;
- aspergillosis;
- tuberculosis;
- coccidiosis.
Infections most often enter the ducklings along with chicks purchased from an unverified breeder.Another reason for the spread of the disease is the lack of vaccinations.
What do we have to do?
The first thing to do if a bird’s legs begin to separate is to place the sick ducks separately from the rest of the flock, and then call a veterinarian. If the cause is ectoparasites, you need to treat the animal, as well as the room where the birds are located. To disinfect ducklings, use potassium permanganate, lime or machine oil. A week later the procedure is repeated.
To rid the duck of ticks, problem areas are treated with boric petroleum jelly. The course of treatment is one week. There are three such courses in total, and they are conducted every 20 days.
To compensate for the deficiency of vitamins, the following products are added to the diet of animals:
- fish fat;
- carrot;
- bone meal;
- cottage cheese;
- eggs;
- eggshell.
Adult mallards are also given corn, pumpkin, zucchini, and potatoes. To prevent an overabundance of one or another component, it is necessary to monitor the quantity and frequency of food consumption - supplements should not be too bulky and should be given in portions.
As for infections, treatment is prescribed depending on the diagnosis:
- Aspergillosis. Therapy is carried out using a weak solution of copper sulfate. Nystatin is also prescribed.
- Tuberculosis. There is no treatment, so sick animals are slaughtered and disposed of. Products obtained from such ducks should not be consumed.
- Hepatitis. It is dangerous for young animals under two weeks of age. Treatment is ineffective.
Prevention
To prevent the appearance of external and internal parasites, you must:
- keep the duck house, drinking bowls, food containers in a clean condition;
- to create bedding, use wormwood, pine needles and other herbs that repel parasites;
- send newly acquired birds to quarantine (at least for 3-4 days);
- bathing containers should be filled with ash and sand and placed outside;
- control the quality of feed, diversify the diet;
- eliminate dampness, cold, and excessive heat in the room;
- regularly treat enclosures for parasites (animals are also subjected to this procedure);
- if suspicious manifestations occur, carefully examine the birds and, if necessary, contact a veterinarian;
- vaccinate animals;
- keep young birds separately from adult birds;
- exclude contact of ducks with other animals.
Cases when ducklings' legs move apart often occur. It is important to correctly establish the cause and conduct competent therapy. To avoid problems, you need to follow preventive measures.
