United Poultry Concerns, Inc.
PO Box 150, Machipongo, VA 23405-0150
Phone: 757-678-7875 • FAX: 757-678-5070
www.upc-online.org • info@upc-online.org

June 11. 2020

Tom Manley, President
Antioch College
One Morgan Place
Yellow Springs, Ohio 45387
Via Email: tmanley@antiochcollege.edu

Kat Christen, Farm Manager
Antioch College
One Morgan Place
Yellow Springs, Ohio 45387
kchristen@antiochcollege.edu

Dear Mr. Manley and Ms. Christen,

A concern has been shared with us that your ducks appear to be lacking sufficient water to swim and rinse their eyes and faces in. The eyes of ducks, as you know, must be kept clean and free of infection. In their natural habitat, ducks have ready access to clean bathing water. Ducks raised in indoor or outdoor confinement are susceptible to ophthalmia, an infection in one or both eyes referred to as “sticky eye,” in which a discharge mats down the feathers around the eye and may cause the eyelids to stick shut. Untreated, it can lead to blindness.

As soon as sticky eye is noticed, ducks should be provided with clean water deep enough for them to submerge their heads and, preferably, to swim in for the health of their skin and feathers, and for their total sense of wellbeing. They also benefit from a medicated eye ointment to cure the infection, which understandably causes a duck to feel miserable.

If you are not already doing so, please provide fresh daily water for your waterfowl, who need a constant supply of their natural element. This kindness toward them is also a welcome responsibility for the caregivers on whom they depend.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Karen Davis, PhD, President
United Poultry Concerns
12325 Seaside Road, PO Box 150
Machipongo, VA 23405
Office: 757-678-7875
Email: Karen@UPC-online.org

 

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• Backyard Chicken-Keeping