Baby duckling 5 days old - small and bald patch help!

[Mmontague987]

I received 3 baby black Swedish ducklings on Monday. I’m NEW to ducks! One of them is quite smaller than other two and her little bald spot on head seems to be getting worse. They go for a little swim two-three times a day and she definitely preens herself the most afterwards..She seems to otherwise be normal. Should I be concerned? Is there something I should be doing? All three ducklings are supposed to be female.

Thank you!! Maddie

 

[Miss Lydia]

Adorable little ones. Did the duckling come with this bald spot? Have you noticed the other ducklings nibbling on her?
What are you feeding and are you supplementing with niacin or any type of vitamin? Is this little one eating and drinking good?

 

[Mmontague987]

Thank you for the quick reply! She did have a little bald spot (same one) when I got her Wednesday morning. I haven’t noticed any nibbling but will definitely try and watch closely for that. I’m feeding them non medicated chicken starter with added brewers yeast 1.5tbs per 1 cup of food. They also get a small treat like dried shrimp in water or mealworms. The ducks did get save-a-chick electrolytes and a splash of raw organic apple cider vinegar in water everyday. Today was the first day I stopped electrolytes as they are all eating and drinking well.

Thank you! Maddie

 

[Miss Lydia]

Check your brewers yeast for the amount of niacin in it. I would try and get Poultry Cell and give it too them in their water it is a good booster especially for the littlest one. Also get chick grit since your feeding something other than starter they can't grind up things like dried shrimp or mealworms without grit once they go outside and are on the ground they can find their own. Just put a small bowl next to their feed not in it they may eat too much but put it on the side and they will use it as they need it they know by instinct.

 

[Mmontague987]

Check your brewers yeast for the amount of niacin in it. I would try and get Poultry Cell and give it too them in their water it is a good booster especially for the littlest one. Also get chick grit since your feeding something other than starter they can't grind up things like dried shrimp or mealworms without grit once they go outside and are on the ground they can find their own. Just put a small bowl next to their feed not in it they may eat too much but put it on the side and they will use it as they need it they know by instinct.

Thank you! Gave some poultry cell this morning so hopefully will help out little girl. I’ve been just throwing bits of grit in their food; do you think a small dish is better on side? Thank you!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thank you! Gave some poultry cell this morning so hopefully will help out little girl. I’ve been just throwing bits of grit in their food; do you think a small dish is better on side? Thank you!!

Yes it better to put the chick grit on the side. Poultry Cell is good stuff I sure hope it helps your little one.