Both ducklings are dead :(

[Miss Lydia]

I am so sorry, doesn't sound like you did anything wrong, sometimes this just happens and there is no explanation.

 

[madabouthens]

Im so sorry to hear about this! Happened to me last year with my first ever gosling fine one minute then an hour later dead...D: I was so gutted at the time but just keep hatching as you will find out with all types of animals they die... and you cant do anything about it! Best thing to do is move on.. Im SO SO sorry for your lose!

 

[Going Quackers]

I'm so sorry, we lost a 4 day old duckling out of one our nests a bit ago, no idea why as it was acting fine and so forth.. It was with it's mama too, eating/drinking well.

These things do happen, of coarse in the prime of the loss than doesn't help you feel much better but your not alone.

 

[UKducklover]

Thanks everyone, you are all so kind. I know I'll get over this it's just been a really bad day with this happening. Even though their lives were short I feel they were happy, well cared for and loved and I will just have to try to keep thinking like that. They were so beautiful and always so interested in everything I did, I will miss them but they have taught me in their short lives how wonderful ducks are from the very start of their lives xx

 

[LilyAshley11]

Sorry so much, i feel sad now

 

[jak2002003]

I had them in a vivarium, which has 3 vents in it. The temperature felt fine, I did keep a thermometer under the Ecoglow at first but took it out when they were pooping it was about 32celcius under there. I also dried them with a towel after they had bathed before putting them back. I really loved them xx

You must use a thermometer......you can not guess the temperature with you hand.

Maybe they got chilled.

 

[Mum]

Really, really, sorry to hear about your ducklings, that is so saddening for you.

I've taken a look at the drinker you provided and I'm not convinced it is the right sort for ducklings?
They need to get their whole beaks into the water to clear their nostrils and they need water when they eat too (which also means getting their whole beaks in).

Perhaps they made up for it by drinking plenty when you took them "swimming"? (Where was that? What was in that water? What temperature was the water?)
But, to be honest, at one week old they really have no *need* to go swimming. Their fluff is super absorbant and they don't have their oil gland developed fully to cope with it (if you see teeny ducklings in the wild swimming, its because Mummy Duck secretes her oil to preen the fluffies with). Even though you towel dried them it may not have been enough to prevent them getting a chill.

Good luck with the 5 eggs you have in the incubator

 

[UKducklover]

I had been following the advice from

http://www.carolinecrockeroriginals.co.uk/sheldon_pages/handy_hints_for_raising_duckling.htm

I didn't add marbles to their water though, it did seem deep enough their whole beak did get wet from it (like I say mine is slightly bigger than that one it was just an example as mine was bought locally). Their water was warm, I didn't want them getting cold. It wasn't hot though. Yes I used my elbow to test this similiar to when you bath a newborn baby so again no thermometer to check the temperature

 

[Mum]

Interesting that she states they can have supervised swimmning as early as day 1. I'd say yes, if they were brooded naturally because Mummy Duck would know best; however, IMO, and based on the sound advice given to me by the breeder I get my birds/eggs from it is not recommended to let them "swim" earlier than 2 weeks of age (and advice seconded by the book, "Storey's Guide to Ducks". Really good book, btw and fully of excellent advice).

Either way, you cannot change what has gone before. I would advise seeking advice from more than just one place though - which you have done by joining here

What date do you expect the five eggs to hatch?

 

[UKducklover]

They're due to hatch 6th July, all 5 are developing as I can see veins today. I will follow the advice and not let them go swimming so early on this time Thanks xx