Ducks

Lead poisoning

SignsDrooping wings, green diarrhea, staggering, drooping head, weight loss. Caused by swallowing fishing sinkers or shotgun pellets

PreventionRemove lead items and fishing tackle from the pond and yard. Never leave old paint or metal scraps on the ground. Use washed commercial grit

Botulism

SignsCannot lift the head (limberneck), wings and legs will not move, drooping third eyelid. Occurs in murky water during hot weather

PreventionChange the water daily in midsummer. Remove rotting plants, dead fish or insects and leftover feed from the water. Do not let water stagnate

Loss of feather waterproofing

SignsFeathers soak through and the bird sinks when it enters water; body heavy with water; shivering; avoids bathing. Caused by too little preen-gland oil or dirty water

PreventionLet the bird bathe daily in clean water. Keep detergents and oil off the feathers. Avoid poor nutrition and overcrowding so the bird can preen properly

Aspergillosis

SignsOpen-mouth breathing, respiratory noises, weight loss, lethargy. Develops in damp bedding and humid coops

PreventionReplace bedding as soon as it gets damp. Ventilate well and keep the water area away from the sleeping area. Avoid stressful husbandry that lowers immunity

Parasites (flukes, hookworms)

SignsGreen or bloody droppings, weight loss, ragged feathers. Picked up from snails and insects in ponds visited by wild birds

PreventionBuild the water area so wild birds cannot land. Do not feed snails or aquatic insects. Have a fecal exam done once a year

Avian influenza

SignsDucks often carry the virus without symptoms. Sudden death, neurological signs or facial swelling mean severe disease. Abnormalities in several birds must be reported

PreventionBird netting to prevent contact with wild birds. Cover outdoor water during outbreak season. If anything is wrong, consult the Livestock Hygiene Service Center

Collision injuries in flight

PreventionDo not startle the bird. Use soft material for ceilings and netting. Do not try to catch it in a confined space

First aidPlace in a dark box and keep quiet. If the neck is twisted or one wing droops, do not handle; see the vet the same day

Wing fracture or dislocation

PreventionWhen catching, wrap the whole body including the wings. Use mesh fine enough that wings cannot get caught

First aidHold the wing against the body and wrap lightly in a towel. Do not force it straight; rest in a dark box and see the vet the same day

Injuries from males in breeding season

PreventionDo not keep a male-heavy flock. Provide hiding places the female can escape to and more than one water area

First aidIsolate the injured bird in a separate coop. Apply gauze pressure to wounds on the back of the head or neck; if bleeding or feather loss is heavy, see the vet

Predator bites

PreventionLock the coop at night. Weasels and cats squeeze through small gaps, so fence with mesh of 2 cm or less

First aidStop bleeding with pressure. Even if the wound looks small, internal bleeding and infection risk are high; see the vet immediately

Avian influenza

RouteClose contact with droppings, secretions or feather dust of infected birds

PreventionPrevent contact with wild birds. If a bird dies suddenly, do not touch it; contact the Livestock Hygiene Service Center. Wear a mask and wash hands when caring for birds

Salmonellosis

RouteOral infection from hands contaminated with droppings or pond water

PreventionWash hands with soap after care. Keep water from the pond away from the mouth. An adult should supervise children

Campylobacteriosis

RouteOral infection from water or equipment contaminated with droppings

PreventionWash equipment separately from kitchen items. Wear gloves when cleaning droppings. Do not eat or drink in the bird area

Psittacosis (Chlamydia)

RouteInhaling dust from dried droppings or nasal discharge

PreventionDampen before cleaning. Wear a mask. If fever or cough persists, tell your doctor you have contact with birds

Food

• Waterfowl pellets as the staple, twice daily morning and evening; remove leftovers
• A small amount of leafy greens, duckweed or aquatic plants daily
• For Mandarin ducks, add a few acorns or nuts

Water

• Drinking water deep enough to submerge the whole bill and head, available at all times
• Keep drinking water and bathing water separate; replace all of it daily

Toys & play

• Duckweed and floating balls on the water
• A shallow mud patch for dabbling for food
• Perches and logs for Mandarin ducks

Nest, bed & hideout

• Mallards: a straw nest on the ground enclosed on three sides
• Mandarin ducks: a nest box at 1–2 m height with a climbing board

Bedding & litter

• A thick layer of dry straw or wood chips
• Well-draining gravel around the water area
• Replace as soon as damp to prevent mold

Cage / housing material

A flight cage fully enclosed with netting. Soft netting for the ceiling

Size & space

Per pair: coop of 1 sq m or more plus a netted run of 5 sq m or more

Layout

• Keep water, feeding and sleeping areas apart
• High nest box and perches for Mandarin ducks
• Several hiding places the female can escape to

Placement notes

• Build so wild birds cannot reach the water
• Keep the area free of lead, fishing tackle and old paint

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• At least 1 hour of bathing and preening time daily
• If let out, only inside a netted run
• Flightless during the molt, so watch especially for predators

Temperature & humidity

Temperature5–25°C. Cold-hardy, but avoid wind below freezing

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

Summer & winter

• Summer: shade and cool water, change water daily
• Winter: keep water from freezing; add a windbreak and straw to the coop

Nail trimming

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

Brushing, skin & coat care

No brushing needed. Daily bathing in clean water. Never use detergent even if feathers are dirty

Other care

Ask the vet about clipping flight feathers. Self-taught clipping leaves the bird unable to fly and can cause collisions or drowning

Protection from predators

• Lock the bird in the coop at night
• Full overhead netting against raptors and crows
• Fine mesh that weasels, cats and dogs cannot get through

Foreign-body ingestion

Easily swallows fishing sinkers, shotgun pellets, metal scraps and plastic. Inspect the pond bottom and yard. Green droppings or drooping wings suggest lead poisoning; see the vet

Being stepped on

Crowds around your feet. Check where the bird is when walking. If stepped on, do not touch the leg; box it up and see the vet

Getting pinched

Neck or wing caught in doors or nest-box lids. Keep gaps under 2 cm and close lids slowly. If pinched, free it at once and keep quiet

Falls

Startles, hits the ceiling and falls. If the neck is bent or it cannot stand afterward, see the vet the same day

Escape

Takes off without a run-up. The run must have a roof. If it escapes, search nearby water and lure it with flock calls and food. Do not chase; consider reporting it

Safe release procedure

1. Stop moving; do not pull, wait quietly
2. With your free hand wrap the body including the wings and block its view
3. Hold the base of the bill lightly and release once it relaxes
4. Once free, return the bird to the coop and let it settle

After the release

Wash the wound under running water and disinfect. If it swells or festers, see a doctor

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Photo of droppings, any lead items present, condition of the water, state of cage-mates. Call ahead to a hospital that treats birds

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Consciousness: does it respond to 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 5 minutes or more
• For a bleeding feather shaft, press the base and apply styptic
• If it does not stop, see the vet while maintaining pressure

Transport

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