Ducks are known to be more disease-resistant than chickens, which makes them a popular choice among farmers. However, they are not entirely immune to infections, especially when hygiene is poor, feed is spoiled, or when ducks are kept in overcrowded conditions. The most common threats to ducks include duck plague, viral hepatitis, cholera, botulism, parasitic infections, and aflatoxicosis. Learning how to recognize, prevent, and manage these conditions can help you keep your ducks healthy and productive.
Common Duck Diseases and Their Management
1. Duck Plague (Duck Virus Enteritis)
This disease mostly affects adult ducks. It is caused by a virus and leads to internal bleeding, especially in the intestine and gizzard. You may notice blood inside the body and sudden deaths. Sadly, there is no cure for this disease once the bird is infected. The only way to protect your flock is by giving them the duck plague vaccine between 8 to 12 weeks of age. Maintain cleanliness in the duck shelter and avoid mixing new ducks with old ones without quarantine.
2. Duck Viral Hepatitis
This disease hits ducklings under three weeks of age and causes liver damage and sudden deaths. Though rare in India, if it appears, it can cause heavy loss. It spreads quickly and needs early vaccination. Day-old ducklings can be protected by giving them an attenuated virus vaccine. If you plan to breed ducks, vaccinate the parent stock before they begin laying eggs.
3. Duck Cholera (Pasteurellosis)
Cholera is a serious bacterial disease that strikes ducks older than four weeks. Infected ducks stop eating, develop fever, show signs of thirst, diarrhea, and may die suddenly. Upon opening the body, the liver and spleen are often found swollen. Duck cholera can be prevented with vaccination at 4 weeks and again at 18 weeks. In case of infection, treatment with sulpha drugs and antibiotics under a veterinarian’s advice can help control the disease.
4. Botulism (Food Poisoning)
This disease occurs when ducks eat rotting plant material or drink dirty water containing the toxin-producing bacteria. Ducks affected by botulism may suddenly become weak or paralyzed. To avoid this, prevent ducks from scavenging on decaying vegetation or stagnant ponds. In early cases, mixing Epsom salt in drinking water can act as a purgative.
Parasitic Infections: Internal and External
Ducks usually resist worms better than chickens. However, if they roam in unclean water or overcrowded ponds, they can get infected with internal parasites like flukes, tapeworms, and roundworms. These parasites reduce feed absorption and cause anemia. To prevent infestation, avoid allowing ducks to roam in dirty or stagnant water, and deworm them regularly based on a veterinarian’s recommendation.
External parasites such as lice, fleas, and mites are less common in ducks than in chickens, but they can still cause irritation, feather damage, and egg production loss. Clean housing and regular inspection can keep these pests away.
Aflatoxicosis: Hidden Danger in Feed
One of the silent killers in duck farming is aflatoxicosis. It is caused by feeding moldy or fungus-infected grains like maize, rice polish, and groundnut cake. Ducks are highly sensitive to aflatoxins, especially B1 type. Even small quantities in the feed (0.03 mg per kg) can harm their liver, cause sluggishness, and reduce growth and productivity. Always dry feed ingredients properly, store them in a dry place, and never use feed with visible mold. If ducks show signs of aflatoxin poisoning, removing the contaminated feed is the only way to help them recover.
Vaccination: A Must for Healthy Ducks
A simple vaccination schedule can save your ducks from major diseases:
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Duck Cholera – First dose at 3-4 weeks of age (1 ml, subcutaneous), repeat at 18 weeks
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Duck Plague – Given at 8-12 weeks of age (1 ml, subcutaneous)
Always consult your local veterinarian for advice on vaccines and timing.
Additional Tips for Better Duck Health
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Provide clean, dry shelter for ducks to rest, especially during the night.
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Use clean and fresh water for drinking and bathing.
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Avoid feeding stale or spoiled feed to ducks.
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Keep feed storage areas dry and rat-proof.
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Watch out for early signs of sickness such as loss of appetite, sitting quietly in corners, or abnormal droppings.
Keep new ducks separate for a few days before mixing them with the main flock.
Raising ducks can be highly rewarding when proper care is taken. With a little attention to vaccination, feed quality, and housing cleanliness, farmers can avoid most diseases and enjoy good returns from their duck farming venture. By investing in preventive healthcare, you not only save money but also improve the productivity and lifespan of your ducks. Healthy ducks mean happy farmers.
