Ducks & Call Ducks

Bumblefoot (pododermatitis)

SignsRed swelling or a black scab on the sole, holding one foot up, sitting down, reluctance to walk

PreventionAvoid concrete or wire-mesh floors; keep on soft grass or mats. Prevent obesity and check the soles daily

Leg deformity (angular limb deformity)

SignsLegs of ducklings or young birds twist outward or inward, bow-legs or knock-knees, awkward gait (angular limb deformity)

PreventionAvoid rapid growth; limit high-calorie feed. Avoid slippery floors and use a waterfowl feed with balanced vitamins and minerals

Excessive egg laying / oviduct disease

SignsLaying every day for a long period, lethargy after laying, distended abdomen, thin-shelled or soft-shelled eggs, reduced droppings

PreventionCollect eggs promptly and remove the nest. Shorten daylight hours and keep a calcium source (oyster shell) available at all times. Consult your vet if she lays too much

Egg binding

SignsCrouching and straining, hard swollen abdomen, dragging the legs, labored breathing, no droppings

PreventionAvoid calcium deficiency, obesity and cold. Keep her warm during the laying season and record whether she lays every day

Aspergillosis

SignsOpen-mouth breathing, breathing noises, lethargy, weight loss. Occurs with moldy bedding or damp conditions

PreventionReplace bedding as soon as it gets damp. Never use moldy feed or straw. Ventilate the house well and keep the area around the pool dry

Avian influenza

SignsSudden death, lethargy, facial swelling, neurological signs, several birds affected at once. If suspected, contact the Livestock Hygiene Service Center immediately

PreventionBird netting to prevent contact with wild birds; dedicated footwear for the keeper and hand washing. During outbreak season, isolate outdoor water from wild birds

Leg or ankle sprain / fracture

PreventionPut mats on slippery floors. Remove steps and gaps. Do not let the bird get fat

First aidDo not move the leg; place the bird in a box and keep still. Do not touch or try to splint the leg. See a vet the same day

Wing fracture / dislocation

PreventionDo not startle the bird into thrashing. Build the enclosure so wings cannot catch in narrow spaces or wire mesh

First aidHold the wing against the body and wrap loosely in a towel to restrain. If bleeding, press with clean gauze and see a vet the same day

Bites from dogs, cats or wildlife

PreventionOutdoor birds must have a fence and a roofed house. Lock them in the house at night

First aidPress bleeding with gauze. Even if the wound looks small, the risk of internal bleeding and infection is high, so see a vet immediately

Hypothermia / near-drowning

PreventionFit a ramp so the bird can climb out of deep water. Keep winter bathing short. Never use detergents that strip feather oil

First aidTowel off the water and dry while warming with a hair dryer on low. If the bird is lethargic, see a vet immediately

Salmonellosis

RouteOral infection from hands that touched droppings, pool water or feathers

PreventionAlways wash hands with soap after care. Never let pool water get in your mouth. Children must wash hands after touching the birds

Avian influenza

RouteClose contact with droppings or secretions of infected birds

PreventionPrevent contact with wild birds. If a bird dies suddenly or acts abnormally, do not touch it; contact the Livestock Hygiene Service Center

Campylobacteriosis

RouteOral infection from water or equipment contaminated with droppings

PreventionWash duck equipment separately from the kitchen. Wear gloves when cleaning droppings. Keep food and drink out of the duck area

Cryptosporidiosis

RouteIngestion of water contaminated with droppings

PreventionChange the pool water daily. Do not let children play in the pool. Wash hands thoroughly

Food

• Waterfowl pellets (duck feed) as the staple, morning and evening
• A small amount of leafy greens (komatsuna, lettuce) daily
• During the laying season, keep oyster shell available in a separate dish

Water

• Drinking water deep enough to submerge the whole bill, available at all times
• Change the water at least once a day and wash the container

Toys & play

• Floating balls and floating plants in the pool
• A shallow mud or sand area for foraging
• Float pellets on the water for the bird to pick up

Nest, bed & hideout

• A dim box enclosed on three sides with dry straw
• Remove the nest when you want to discourage laying

Bedding & litter

• A thick layer of dry straw or wood chips
• Well-draining gravel around the pool
• Replace immediately when damp to prevent mold

Cage / housing material

Roofed wooden house plus wire fence. Floor of soil or a non-slip mat

Size & space

Per bird: house of at least 1 m2 plus a run of at least 3 m2

Layout

• Keep the house, pool and feeding area apart
• A gentle ramp in and out of the pool
• Provide both shade and sun

Placement notes

• Choose a site that considers neighbors (noise and odor)
• Build so wild birds, cats and weasels cannot get in

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• At least 1 hour of bathing and exercise daily
• Indoors, play several times a day on a non-slip floor
• Outdoor walks only inside a fence or under constant supervision

Temperature & humidity

Temperature10–25°C. Keep ducklings at around 30°C

Humidity50–60%. Keep the inside of the house dry

Summer & winter

• In summer always provide shade and a cool pool
• In winter keep the pool from freezing; add a windbreak and straw to the house

Nail trimming

Wear down naturally on soil. If overgrown, have a vet or an experienced person trim them

Brushing, skin & coat care

No brushing needed. Let the bird bathe daily to maintain feather oil. Never wash with detergent

Other care

Check the bill and nostrils for dirt. Check the soles daily for redness or wounds

Protection from predators

• Lock in the house at night
• Bird netting against crows and raptors from above
• Never let loose in the same space as dogs or cats

Foreign-body ingestion

Readily swallows pebbles, plastic, nails and rubber bands. Clear small objects off the ground. See a vet if appetite drops or the bird regurgitates

Being stepped on

Ducks crowd around your feet; check where they are before holding or walking. If you step on one, do not touch the leg; put the bird in a box and see a vet

Getting pinched

Necks and legs get caught in house doors and fence gaps. Keep gaps under 3 cm and close doors slowly

Falls

Ducks cannot fly, so a fall from height fractures the legs. Do not drop from carrying height. If the bird cannot walk after a fall, see a vet

Escape

Some call ducks can fly. Use a roofed enclosure. If one escapes, search near water and call it back with food and the voices of its flockmates

Safe release procedure

1. Stop moving; do not pull, wait quietly
2. With your free hand, gently hold the body and block its line of sight
3. Lightly hold the base of the bill and release when it relaxes
4. Once released, return the bird to its house to calm down

After the release

Rinse the wound under running water and disinfect. Usually only bruising, but see a doctor if it swells or becomes infected

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Laying records, photos of droppings, type of feed and bedding, condition of flockmates. Call an avian vet ahead

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Consciousness: does it respond to your voice or touch?
• Breathing: watch the chest rise and fall. About 30–40 per minute at rest
• Heartbeat: put your ear to the chest. About 200 per minute

Stopping bleeding

• Press with clean gauze for at least 5 minutes
• For nail or feather-shaft bleeding, use styptic powder or cornstarch
• If it does not stop, see a vet while maintaining pressure

Transport

• In a dark box or carrier lined with a towel
• Keep warm with a hand warmer and carry gently without shaking