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Health care
Ducks are generally hardier than other poultry. In practical duck rearing the diseases
of importance are duck plague, pasteurellosis and aflatoxicosis. The only method
of prevention of aflatoxicosis is to eliminate the use of feed or feed ingredient
having fungal or mould growth. Effective vaccine against duck plague is now available.
Duck virus hepatitis is another disease and that could cause heavy mortality of
ducklings, when they occur. Some of the disease that may affect ducks are given
below.
Duck Plague
Adult birds are mostly affected by virus disease. It is characterized by vascular
damage with tissue haemorrhages and free blood in body cavities. The lumina of intestine
and gizzard are filled with blood. There is no treatment for the disease. The birds
can be protected by Duck Plague Vaccine, available in the country, which is given
at the age of 8-12 weeks. Duck plague can be prevented by vaccination however, no
treatment for these viral diseases is present and secondary infection should be
prevented.
Duck Viral Hepatitis
It mainly affects ducklings of 2 to 3 weeks of age. It is characterized by an acute
course and primarily hepatitis. There is no treatment for the disease. The breeding
stock can be immunized by attenuated strain of virus before the commencement of
egg production. The day old ducklings can be protected with attenuated virus vaccine.
The disease is not stated to be prevalent in India.
Duck Cholera
It is an infectious disease, caused by bacterial organism Pasteurella Multocoda
in ducks over four weeks of age. There is loss of appetite, high body temperature,
thirst, diarrhea and sudden death. Most common lesions are pericarditis, arthritis,
petechial and echymotic haemorrhages under the skin (Pink skin), in visceral organs,
over the serous surface and intestine (Haemorrhagic enteritis). Liver and spleen
are enlarged. Sulpha drugs and vaccination can control the diseases. Vaccinate the
birds with duck cholera vaccine, first at the age of 4 weeks and again at 18 weeks.
Treatment through Enrocin or 30 ml Sulpha Mezathine (33.1%) in 5 Ltrs of drinking
water or 30-60 ml of Sulpha Quinoxaline in 5 Ltrs of drinking water for 7 days or
Erythromycin or Rabatran Granules or Neodox-forte or Mortin Vet or Workrin or Kayasol.
These drugs can be administered under the Veterinarian’s guidelines.
Botulism
Food poison is a serious problem in both young and adult ducks. It is caused by
ingestion of bacterium that grows on decaying plants. Avoid ducks scavenging on
decaying plant material. Treatment throughEpsom salt in drinking water which acts
as purgative.
Parasites
Ducks are resistant to internal parasites. The infestation is prevalent only among
those ducks which have access to stagnant water, over-crowded ponds and small streams.
The parasites include flukes, tape worms and round worms. These causes decrease
of nutrient assimilation by the bird and anaemia due to toxic material excreted
by them, destroying the red cells.
The external parasites are an infliction rather than an ailment. These include lice
mites, fleas and ticks. These cause irritation and annoyance leading to loss in
egg production. They also transmit many disease producing organisms. However, these
are not commonly found on water-fowls as in chicken.
Aflatoxicosis
It is a condition caused by aflatoxin produced by the mould Aspergillus flavus in
the feedstuffs such as groundnut, maize, rice polish and other tropical feeds on
storage. Improper drying of grains, rain and humid weather favour the mould growth.
Ducks are very susceptible to aflatoxin content in the feed. Out of the four types
of aflatoxins commonly found viz, B1, B2, G1 and G2. B1 is the most potent toxin.
The minimum toxic dose for ducks is 0.03 ppm or 0.03 mg per kg in feed.
Aflatoxin produces liver lesions and results in death when present in high concentration.
Lower doses produce chronic effects such as lethargy, unthriftiness, hepatitis and
delayed death. There is no specific treatment for aflatoxicosis. When the source
of aflatoxin is removed from the feed, birds make rapid recovery.
Vaccination Schedule for Ducks
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Sl. No
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Name of the vaccine
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Route
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Dose
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Age of ducks
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1.
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Duck Cholera (Pasteurellosis)
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Subcutaneous
Ducklings, Adults
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1 ml.
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3-4 weeks
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2.
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Duck Plague
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Subcutaneous
Adults
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1 ml.
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8-12 weeks
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