Common Duck Diseases - Awareness And Preventions From Affecting Your Ducks

Here are a few of the most common duck diseases,
their symptoms, and how to possibly avoid them
from affecting your flocks when your are raising
ducks. Just like any other living creature,
ducks are not immune to sickness and injury.
There are ways to minimize and hopefully prevent
the attacks. 

1) Duck virus hepa - very young ducklings are
the ones most susceptible to this disease.
Thankfully they become resistant to the virus as
they mature. It is highly fatal and contagious,
wherein the ducklings undergo spasmodic
contractions in the legs. The liver becomes
bigger than usual and will register hemorrhagic
spots. Death can occur in an hour, with the
ducks ending up in an arched position. A good
way to avoid this is by gathering ducklings of
similar age groups together. It is also a must
to vaccinate them with a live virus duck hepa
vaccine of reduced strength.

2) Duck Plague also known as Duck Virus
Enteritis - this acute, highly contagious and
fatal disease that affects waterfowl is brought
about by the feared herpes virus. Although it
often strikes older and more mature ducks, it is
also sometimes seen in younger ducks. Symptoms
include rumpled feathers, listlessness, and
greenish-yellow liquid feces that could be
blood-stained. Hemorrhaging of tissues is also
found all over the body. There are also wounds
and bruises of the intestine and also the
esophagus' mucous lining. To avoid this, as with
other duck diseases, breeder ducks should be
immunized regularly, in this case with a reduced
strength live duck virus enteritis vaccine.

3) Aspergillosis - this happens when ducks
inhale spores from the mold that grows on the
ducks' straw or feed that has become damp. These
inhaled spores can cause numerous swellings or
plaques in the lungs. Symptoms include gasping
for breath, listlessness, and dehydration. To
prevent this, always use fresh straw to avoid
molds, and make sure it does not get wet. Also
keep the duck feeds dry.

4) Avian cholera or fowl cholera - this disease
is associated with unhygienic living conditions.
It is brought about by the bacterium Pasteurella
multocida. Symptoms include diarrhea, mouth
discharge, and appetite deficiency. Lesions show
hemorrhaging in the heart muscles. The liver is
also enlarged, turns a reddish-brown color,
becomes crumbly in texture, and develops whitish
spots. To prevent this, good sanitation practice
is key. Keep the duck pens clean and dry, and
throw away any standing water. Of all the duck
diseases, this one is the most easily avoidable.

The best way to prevent any of these duck
diseases from striking your fine-feathered
friends is by making sure they have regular
immunizations and practicing good hygiene.
Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a
pound of cure.

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If you think you still need guidance on where to
start, consulting existing duck owners and
farmers will certainly be a big help. Are you
looking for more tips on the common duck
diseases? If you would like to learn more about
raising ducks correctly, go to:
http://www.howtoraiseducks.com

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