4 day old weak, small duckling...

[Murduck]

Hello, my 5 female Golden 300 Hybrid Layer ducklings hatched from Metzer Farms in CA on Monday and arrived to me on Wednesday morning. 4 of them are doing wonderful but one now appears smaller than the others, tired and is now not eating or drinking much. I went and got some electrolytes today and cuddled her and got her to drink a tiny bit of that and I'm hoping those couple sips will lead to more later but in the meantime, are there any other tips to help her? I haven't been able to find ANY brewer's yeast in my area so I ordered some on Amazon, it will be here Sunday (Amazon prime). I'm stopping after work (I get out in less than an hour) to get a syringe and will try to use that to coax her into drinking more water as well. Poor little baby is just breaking my heart. I'm not bothering to separate her since the brood only consists of the 5, it's not like she can't get the food and water and she's pretty much staying under the heat, which is staying right around 89-92 at the moment and I added a rag to the straw today for her to nestle in. Do these things just sometimes happen? I feel like a terrible Mom, but looking back, she did seem slightly smaller and stand offish from the first day...

 

[Abriana]

I had a chick do this, just sit around while the other one ate, drank, and broke up meal worms, she just kind of picked at the food and meal worms. I got her and her sister on a Monday, when I noticed their eyes were being pecked at a farm store and took them fore free, that Saturday she died. I got two Wyandottes for the remaining chick for company. Sometimes, chicks and ducklings are just unwell from the beginning of life and won't live, no matter what you do. They aren't always sick, but usually it isn't something you can cure. I am not saying that this duckling probably will die, it is just a possibility. The duckling could also just be smaller and not as strong as the rest, and a little slower to develop, but will mature into a healthy, but maybe smaller duck.

 

[Debs Flock]

Hello, my 5 female Golden 300 Hybrid Layer ducklings hatched from Metzer Farms in CA on Monday and arrived to me on Wednesday morning. 4 of them are doing wonderful but one now appears smaller than the others, tired and is now not eating or drinking much. I went and got some electrolytes today and cuddled her and got her to drink a tiny bit of that and I'm hoping those couple sips will lead to more later but in the meantime, are there any other tips to help her? I haven't been able to find ANY brewer's yeast in my area so I ordered some on Amazon, it will be here Sunday (Amazon prime). I'm stopping after work (I get out in less than an hour) to get a syringe and will try to use that to coax her into drinking more water as well. Poor little baby is just breaking my heart. I'm not bothering to separate her since the brood only consists of the 5, it's not like she can't get the food and water and she's pretty much staying under the heat, which is staying right around 89-92 at the moment and I added a rag to the straw today for her to nestle in. Do these things just sometimes happen? I feel like a terrible Mom, but looking back, she did seem slightly smaller and stand offish from the first day...View attachment 1101530

I do know that sometimes they aren't healthy at hatch and they don't make it.

So the little one is smaller & sort of stand off-ish?
Is she eating, drinking & eliminating on her own?

It's good you got some electrolytes and have the brewer's yeast on the way. I'll tag some other members that will probably have more suggestions on how to help her possibly improve. Best of luck & welcome to BYC!

@Pyxis
@casportpony
@Ravynscroft

 

[Ravynscroft]

Shipping is also hard on little ducklings... sounds like you are doing the best you can, and this was not caused by you...

I would also pick up Nutridrench Poultry vitamins to give her a boost with...

for her and you!

 

[Murduck]

When I went home on my lunch break with the electrolytes, that was the first time I'd seen her not eat at all. I can't say if she's pooping or not, I will try to pay attention but I've honestly not witnessed any of them pooping... it's just everywhere (and I clean it up 3-4 times a day). Like I said, she drank a tiny bit so I hope that she will at least stay hydrated until she is up to eating again... maybe tonight. She's okay with the other girls around but tends to just walk away from them and face a wall under the heat... then lay down for a bit.

Thanks so much!

 

[Debs Flock]

 

[chickens really]

Wet the feed into a soupy mix not just wet...Ducklings the first week or longer do better fed that than just dry...I also provide dry on the side...Water deep enough to dip heads and keep nares clean and clear...

 

[chickens really]

No need for adding things to the water...Clear clean water is all it needs... Best wishes....

 

[Murduck]

Thank you for all the support and advice! I think the vitamins and electrolytes and a bit of forced water drinking is helping. I'm sure we're not out of the woods yet but she has started eating and drinking a little on her own! Still weak but I didn't expect her to rebound in a matter of hours. I am also putting her in a little box with her own food and water, within the brooder (since I have only one heat source) for a little while at a time, every now and then so she doesn't get bullied out of the main food and water. She misses her sisters quickly though, so i wait and put her back with them as they are all ready for full belly naps. Fingers crossed, she's may be okay.

 

[chickens really]

Thank you for all the support and advice! I think the vitamins and electrolytes and a bit of forced water drinking is helping. I'm sure we're not out of the woods yet but she has started eating and drinking a little on her own! Still weak but I didn't expect her to rebound in a matter of hours. I am also putting her in a little box with her own food and water, within the brooder (since I have only one heat source) for a little while at a time, every now and then so she doesn't get bullied out of the main food and water. She misses her sisters quickly though, so i wait and put her back with them as they are all ready for full belly naps. Fingers crossed, she's may be okay.

Dont force water or food...Aspiration is common on babies being forced to swallow...If it's meant to live , it will eat and drink on its own...Provide it with the things it needs but let it try on its own..Also another Duckling to cuddle to will encourage it to move and eat and drink....