Call Ducklings dieing, Please Help

[NySerama]

Iam having a very hard time raising call ducklings and would really appreciate any help. . First off for whatever reason my flock has been laying fertile eggs this winter. Iv been puting them in my sportman 1202 incubator and so far ruffly about a dozen or so have hatched, But i keep losing babies left and right.

Inbetween age 4-10 days old, Shortly after i give them there daily water they will fade out, get disorientated & roll on there backs, Most have died there on the spot, While others have recovered only to do the same the next day before dieing. (I have 2 survivors and fell like its only a matter of time before they have the same faith)

Broader Setup: 20 gallon fish tank, 75 watt bulb 15 inches high in corner (Light always on for heat) Gamebird Crumbles (non med), Water twice per day in a small enouf cup so they cant fit inside just drink from and Paper towels on floor.


Water given is room temperature plain ol new york tap water that all my other birds,ducks & animals drink (never any problems). After the first few died i put the second group on tylan antibiotics for a week thinking they could be sick, That group lasted a week longer before they died, Again right after drinking.

 

[TennesseeTruly]

I'M sorry this is happening to you. I think the gamebird feed is way too high in protein for them. I start mine off on chick starter (non medicated) until 3 weeks old and then I switch them to either Purina duck grower or Mazuri maintaince. If I remember correctly gamebird feed is something like 28% protein and for Calls that's alot of protein.

If I remember correctly, you're right in Long Island and you have a supplier there that has the Purina duck grower. You would have to grind it for the Calls because its kind of large (I do it for my Calls). I can't get the Purina any longer unless I have it shipped down to me and it costs more to ship it than it costs for the food.

Good luck and let us know how they're doing.

Laurie

 

[NySerama]

Quote:
Hmmm intresting, You really think that would be killing them huh? The earlyest iv had them die is about 3 or 4 days old.... At first i had them on medicated chick starter, Untill i read some brands are toxic. I figured that was it, But soon learned different. And yes the feed stores around here do have the purina duck grower, Right now there on purina gamebird, I will pick it up tomorrow thanks......

I have 15 eggs in the bator now, That are all fertile so i would really like to figure this out before they hatch.....

 

[CityChicker]

I imagine that it is the water. Are they completely running out of water between waterings? If so, that is most likely the problem. You can't let ducklings that age run out of water, especially if they have access to food. If you ever discover they have run out, remove the food for at least a half hour after giving them a refill of water. They can gorge themselves on food and then when they drink water, the food swells and causes them to do exactly what you are describing.

If they are never out of water, then it is probably something with the feed. I have never seen high protein affect ducklings that young though. You typically don't start seeing problems until they are several weeks old, if at all. You might also make sure to have a thermometer in the tank to see how hot it is getting. I am pretty confident though that what you are describing is them gorging themselves on water.

 

[Chickies-duckies-etc]

The two things I have seen affect ducklings (larger breeds) like you describe is water related. Like was mentioned, running out of water and then gorging on it. The other is getting very wet from splashing and messing in the water. With either one, the duckling will start flopping around and then die. If just wet and cold. getting them dry and warm fast usually helps. The gorging, they may or may not come out of it. Best to prevent it. If they do run out of water, when you give them more, only let them take sips to start. A few sips, wait a couple of minutes, some more sips, until their bodies have rehydrated.

Do you have a thermometer in to know how warm their brooder is? 75 watts in that small of space seems like a lot?

 

[farrier!]

I cannot offer you any help other then saying I had the same problem on a much smaller scale. My ducklings had water in front of them at all times.

 

[NySerama]

Yes each time i fill up there water bowl it is bone dry empty and there is always food with them. That makes alout of sense. From now on i will give them a small automatic water bottle. What kinda waterer is the best for ducklings? Thanks alout for taking the time to help

 

[redhen]

ducks need to be able to submerge their whole bill in the water...otherwise they can choke. When you say water bottle, do you mean like a rabbit water bottle?? if so.,..that wont work for them at all...

 

[Chickies-duckies-etc]

A water container for ducklings is a challenge. They can make a mess of anything. LOL Try a plastic container like a milk jug, maybe for small ones like the calls a half gallon size, cut holes toward the bottom just big enough for their heads to go in and not their bodies. Put it on something or hang it so it is up high enough for them to reach their heads in easily to get a drink.

 

[La Mike]

Dont rule out medicated feed most of it is bad for ducks
Check with your feed store or ag center to be sure