baby duck with lots of problems

That's too bad Julie maybe now that your walking instead of riding you will. :) I love seeing them except when they are trying to cross a road.  I have to stop and help them across so they don't get smashed.
You are so right. I need slowing down to see them. I'd be so happy. I am thrilled you help the sweet things. It's sad so many drivers speed and could care less.
 
Ducky was the only duck that hatched, my ducks had just started laying again and I didn't want her to be lonely all her hatchmates were chicks and she got too big for the inside brooder so I tried to put her in the outside one but she was miserable without the chicks she hatched with.so about an hour after I moved her out I brought her buddies out too and she was so happy she peeped at them and they all gathered around her and she was laying her head on them like they were cuddling. I guess she's the leader of the group , because they all follow her around.


Ducky is the mom and the leader. I would keep her with the chicks if that's where she is going to be happy. She bonded with them and they to her and that is so sweet.

Patty
 
We used to keep turtles as pets.  They like a lot of the same things that ducks and chickens like.  They really liked meal worms, grapes, melons, kale, mustard greens, water softened cat/dog kibble.  Their absolute favorite was strawberries.  They need a diet that's 50% protein and 50% veggies/fruit, heavier on the veggies.  An unfinished basement is a good place for a turtle and they definitely do prefer to sleep under things.  We made them a small wooden 3 sided box that we put upside down.  Most turtles hibernate from October until late Spring (early May here).  I love turtles.  :D
Wow. I didn't know that. Hibernate which means they go into a slow down of metabolism and basically sleep that long? How long do they live?
 
Ernie does that at times especially if there are chickens around I think they stress him out when I am trying to give him his pill they are lurking around trying to snatch bread. So I wait till they are in another part of the yard then he usually takes it from me. Especially if he thinks he is going to get a few more pieces of bread.  

I hope the turtle will eat soon.  Maybe once he feels comfortable he'll eat. 
Awe, sweet Ernie. I am glad be takes his pill when everyone is far away.
 
He's about the size of a cereal bowl.  I tried giving him some reptile sticks.     It has a picture of a turtle on it and he looks at it but won't eat it.  Maybe I will find something he likes eventually.  I think they do sleep in a hole so that's probably what he's doing.  

I still haven't got Clyde to take his pill.  I'll try again in a little while.  :he

Patty
Ha-ha, a cereal bowl. Love it. Have you guys named him yet?

Is Clyde missing his pill cuz of Topper and her gang?
 
We used to keep turtles as pets. They like a lot of the same things that ducks and chickens like. They really liked meal worms, grapes, melons, kale, mustard greens, water softened cat/dog kibble. Their absolute favorite was strawberries. They need a diet that's 50% protein and 50% veggies/fruit, heavier on the veggies. An unfinished basement is a good place for a turtle and they definitely do prefer to sleep under things. We made them a small wooden 3 sided box that we put upside down. Most turtles hibernate from October until late Spring (early May here). I love turtles.
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Thanks for all the info Deb I'll try some of these things to see if he will eat anything. We don't have a basement right now he is in a big laundry basket in the hallway of our house. I guess with all the lights he is not going to hibernate. The uvb bulb and the heat bulb has him lite up. The uvb bulb I turn out at night but the heat bulb I run all the time. Hubbie says he may need sunglasses with all those lights. I put a doggie piddle pad down instead of the newspapers and he even lifted that up and crawled under that. Every other day I put him in a pie tin filled with water. He seems to enjoy that. The thing that worries me the most is he's not eatting much. Maybe a couple of bites a day.

Patty
 
Oh, right...forgot to mention that they usually won't eat much for the first few days after a change in their environment and yes, they eat a lot less when they're preparing to hibernate. But...they can only truly hibernate by burying themselves outdoors. If kept indoors, they do need the bulbs & warmth that you have, Patty and they should definitely eat. Like ducks, they do well with routine. We fed ours twice a day. Same time & place. They like to get into their water containers...sound familiar?
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I probably messed him up he was preparing to hibernate now I have him lite up like a christmas tree.
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So I treat him like a duck with a shell. That shouldn't be hard to do .


Patty
 
Ha-ha, a cereal bowl. Love it. Have you guys named him yet?

Is Clyde missing his pill cuz of Topper and her gang?
I tried to think of something to compare his size with and a cereal bowl come to mind.
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Robbie named him Jeffrey. I don't think he has a middle name yet.

Clyde never did get his pill yesterday. After four tries I gave up. Yes Topper messed up the whole routine and it upset Clyde so much he wouldn't eat it. I did get him to take it this morning. Topper behaved herself and didn't eat with both groups the way she did yesterday.

Patty
 
Happy Halloween to everyone. I bought candy but we probably won't have any trick or treaters. The kids go to parties now and they don't trick or treat the way we used too.

Patty
 
I probably messed him up he was preparing to hibernate now I have him lite up like a christmas tree.
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So I treat him like a duck with a shell. That shouldn't be hard to do .


Patty

Patty, post a picture of him when you can. If there are any bright colors, you have boy. Muted or no discernible color would be female. He doesn't need the heat bulb at all and would probably be happiest in a coop outside. We kept a turtle with the ducks for a month or so over the summer and let him go when he no longer seemed happy cooped up. He won't need the uvb bulb outside either. If you put him outside, he may try to find some soft ground to bury himself in. Once hibernated, they do come out occasionally on really nice days. They can go completely hibernated from November until April or May. They typically live to about 30 years old. A few bites a day this time of year isn't bad. Most important is some protein and he needs access to water 24/7.
 

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