Apologies for not responding. Questions are not loading. (Update on my 2 ducklings.) 🐣

[Farmgirl283420]

Congrats on both ducklings' survival. I agree with @Miss Lydia about the boot. It's not easy to make one that's comfy for them, useful for straightening and stays put. At least it wasn't for me when I had to boot a Bantam chick.

Others have already offered the advice about the ice cubes, but I understand the desire to keep them cooled off.

Best wishes with your babies; you clearly love these cute little quackers already!

Can I put ice cubes in my adult chickens water in the summer?

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

Yes, I did.
I had no idea! Seems so odd and I would have never known because ducks drink frozen water from ponds.
I thought it would help them cool down.
I learn something new everyday!!
Thank you so much for catching that!!!!

That being said babies can’t regulate their heat like an adult duck can
A member on here lost ducks who came from a warm coop out to the cold weather and frozen pond
Drank the water and died
Another member had younger ducklings that he filled the waters everyone had a drink and all dropped dead
Had water tested and was fine chemical wise
Narrowed it down to the water was to cold
Your brooder should have heat on one side and non on the other so they can move away from the heat when they feel to hot
I only use room temp water for my ducklings

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

Can I put ice cubes in my adult chickens water in the summer?

I wouldn’t recommend it
I won’t even do it with my dogs or cats
My brother filled the kid pool on a really hot summer day
Water was cold and they had their little guy just under 2 outside. They were so hot they thought letting him in the kid pool to cool off
It put him into shock and seizures
When your body temp is to hot and you take freezing cold water it gives it a shock

 

[BelovedBirds]

Yes, I did.
I had no idea! Seems so odd and I would have never known because ducks drink frozen water from ponds.
I thought it would help them cool down.
I learn something new everyday!!
Thank you so much for catching that!!!!

Cold water is safe for adult ducks, but its very dangerous for ducklings to drink

 

[BelovedBirds]

Can I put ice cubes in my adult chickens water in the summer?

I don't know about chickens, for adult ducks ice is safe- my girls enjoy eating tiny ice cubes.
But that said, giving any animal ice during hot weather is dangerous. It can shock their system very badly.

 

[AmyA248]

Yes, I did.
I had no idea! Seems so odd and I would have never known because ducks drink frozen water from ponds.
I thought it would help them cool down.
I learn something new everyday!!
Thank you so much for catching that!!!!

Oh, and they are great!
So far I’ve made 4 boots and the next morning they are off. I need to fix this, but my attempts are futile.
I’m not sure if I sent a photo, so I’ll send over a few.

I didn't even see this, I'm glad you pointed that out

@AmyA248 Absolutely don't give them icecubes. Cold water is very dangerous for ducklings. Room temp in a waterer, deep enough to dunk their heads, but that they cannot get into, is really important.

Those babies are beautiful, I hope that foot is able to be helped

Thank you!
I’m sorry I haven’t responded lately, I’ve been working a lot. My patients are piling up since I took my leave for a month.
Anyway, I will never use ice cubs again, that was shocking to hear. I’m so glad I mentioned it.
I’ve made several boots, but she’s smart and gets out of them.
I’m very concerned and I’m to the point that I’m going to have to isolate her to keep her stable and still.
If I don’t get this done and staying on she’ll be crippled and that breaks my heart.

 

[AmyA248]

Cold water is safe for adult ducks, but its very dangerous for ducklings to drink

Thank you again!

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Amy, you never ended up answering the question on the other thread about what you're planning to do if your duck doesn't go broody. Are you just going to keep hatching all these eggs she lays?

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

I don't know about chickens, for adult ducks ice is safe- my girls enjoy eating tiny ice cubes.
But that said, giving any animal ice during hot weather is dangerous. It can shock their system very badly.

That’s correct
If they have been out all day in really hot weather it’s not recommended
But if they are not in really hot weather then yes they can have some
Daisy eats the ice when it’s starting to melt but temps are only plus 5-10 C
Not 35-40 C

 

[AmyA248]

Congrats on both ducklings' survival. I agree with @Miss Lydia about the boot. It's not easy to make one that's comfy for them, useful for straightening and stays put. At least it wasn't for me when I had to boot a Bantam chick.

Others have already offered the advice about the ice cubes, but I understand the desire to keep them cooled off.

Best wishes with your babies; you clearly love these cute little quackers already!

Thank you,
Yes, I’m still learning about raising

I used a piece of cardboard then flattened the foot and taped it on with surgical tape up the leg. I remade the water container to allow nare cleaning only to keep the foot dry. It may take a couple of times to see what works best as they can get off these homemade devices we use. And watch what tape you use as to prevent it from sticking to the skin and pulling it off. She/he will stumble around a bit getting used to it but in the long run it will be best. Also with bad feet I will let the ducklings swim a bit 1 to 2 minutes only and you be right there as the foot needs to strengthen up. Then I towel dry and back under the light.

Here is my 4th attempt.
She’s walking on the tip of the boot.
I can’t make it any smaller either. I have wood chips in their brooder and they are in a large plastic container, which makes her boot slip.
As you know ducks are terribly messy. I clean Thor brooder twice a day and it’s still not enough. So her boot kept getting soaked and slipping off. I honestly believe the other 2 are helping to get it off! Lol!
This time I got waterproof adhesive tape and went all the way up her leg, which I didn’t do before.
She’s mad right now because she hates having the boot on and I’m concerned that she won’t be able to get to her foot and water.
I’m really considering isolating her in a small container, but that isn’t good for her either because she’s very attached to her 2 other siblings.
Here is her new boot and their brooder.
Thank you so much for your help and concern!