2017 Gosling Hatch a long!!

[tk10]

I changed the set up, and I've still had more losses. I did go ahead and add another light and another waterer. I feel powerless. Here is a bad picture of the setup. Notice there are only 12 left. I'm just beside myself.

 

[Nannette114]

I changed the set up, and I've still had more losses. I did go ahead and add another light and another waterer. I feel powerless. Here is a bad picture of the setup. Notice there are only 12 left. I'm just beside myself.View attachment 1030373

Oh no what a shame!
I have no experience of raising ducks but I feel your pain...
Hopefully someone on here will have some clues as to what is going on

 

[tk10]

Thanks, I didn't mean to hijack this thread. I'm actually sitting in the basement to watch them now. With the last 2 losses, they seemed happy and content until they just weren't. I came back and there they were. Me physically being here isn't going to change anything, but I'll feel better about it. All are eating and drinking just fine.

 

[Iain Utah]

Container is good. Two heat lamps may be too much. Place a thermometer on floor just out of direct light. Day 3-4 should be no more than 90. When in doubt, turn all lights off until they huddle chilled. Then fire up one lamp over where they huddled. If they do not start unhuddling and moving away from lamp within 15-20 minutes, then lower lamp a couple of inches.

By the way, I like to add a large stuffed animal for them to snuggle in.

 

[Nannette114]

Thanks, I didn't mean to hijack this thread. I'm actually sitting in the basement to watch them now. With the last 2 losses, they seemed happy and content until they just weren't. I came back and there they were. Me physically being here isn't going to change anything, but I'll feel better about it. All are eating and drinking just fine.

No please don't worry about hijacking threads! It's nice to tak about other things to distract from stressing about eggs ha ha!

I agree with Iain, with chicks I always have just one heat lamp so they have the option to get away from the heat. I've never thought of a cuddly toy tho..

I know you only had one heat lamp at the start tho and you'd worried they'd got cold. Don't beat yourself up, you're doing your best

 

[Bluechick2u]

3rd batch of goslings hatched. First batch had all but 1 gosling die, so when momma Toulouse hatched out the next batch, I snuck my singleton in, and it worked. Now there's multi generational goslings all nested together.

 

[Nannette114]

3rd batch of goslings hatched. First batch had all but 1 gosling die, so when momma Toulouse hatched out the next batch, I snuck my singleton in, and it worked. Now there's multi generational goslings all nested together.View attachment 1030705 View attachment 1030706

Awww what beautiful babies! And how lovely that mum accepted the singleton. Congratulations!!

 

[tk10]

Congrats!

 

[Iain Utah]

Adorable babies and sweet momma!! Congrats!!

As for the ducklings loss... it could have been issues with hatching, hypothermia exposure during shipping, or hypothermia or overheating, once arrived. Losses are a part of hatching, shipping, and raising. I know I've personally been responsible for quite a few avoidable losses due to inexperience or lack of knowledge. We learn from those losses and hopefully don't make the same mistake again.

I've said it before... one of the reasons they lay/hatch so many is to compensate for all the many ways losses occur. It's a numbers game, essentially. At least there are plenty more eggs to hatch and babies to order from hatcheries to look forward to.

 

[tk10]

Adorable babies and sweet momma!! Congrats!!

As for the ducklings loss... it could have been issues with hatching, hypothermia exposure during shipping, or hypothermia or overheating, once arrived. Losses are a part of hatching, shipping, and raising. I know I've personally been responsible for quite a few avoidable losses due to inexperience or lack of knowledge. We learn from those losses and hopefully don't make the same mistake again.

I've said it before... one of the reasons they lay/hatch so many is to compensate for all the many ways losses occur. It's a numbers game, essentially. At least there are plenty more eggs to hatch and babies to order from hatcheries to look forward to.

Thank you. Remembering that perspective does help.