Can we add a stray duckling?

[lina500]

I understand, which is why I have been making a very balanced diet for the other two, including making our own feed supplemented by hard boiled eggs, fish and different types of fresh vegetables every day. I realize that I will not get the balances completely perfect, but I still think it's better than cheap commercial feed (here) or a diet of rice. Our two other ducklings are spoiled rotten and very healthy. Our neighbors have come over and laughed at us because they had never seen ducks treated as pets and couldn't believe what we were feeding them! This new duckling had been found on the street and raised by someone else for his first 11 days and started having seizures the day after I got him, so the issue was pre-existing.

The new duckling is 15 days old and weighs 52 grams. I think that must be really small, even for a small breed. What do you think?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I understand, which is why I have been making a very balanced diet for the other two, including making our own feed supplemented by hard boiled eggs, fish and different types of fresh vegetables every day. I realize that I will not get the balances completely perfect, but I still think it's better than cheap commercial feed (here) or a diet of rice. Our two other ducklings are spoiled rotten and very healthy. Our neighbors have come over and laughed at us because they had never seen ducks treated as pets and couldn't believe what we were feeding them! This new duckling had been found on the street and raised by someone else for his first 11 days and started having seizures the day after I got him, so the issue was pre-existing.

The new duckling is 15 days old and weighs 52 grams. I think that must be really small, even for a small breed. What do you think?

I'm sure the first 11 days had a big reason in it's health and to have you as it's guardian now well it will be as spoiled and as healthy as the other 2 soon I'm sure. With the feed I buy I add extras too. Dried split peas for one the little green peas, not sure if you can get them there but my ducks love them, I make fermented feed for my flock. whole oats is another grain I also add. I hope this new little one responds well to your special treatment and begins to flourish. Did you introduce the 3 to each other yet? How about seizures?

 

[lina500]

He had 3 seizures in one day, but hasn't had any since. The other 2 have gotten massive since all of this happened. They are now 4 weeks old and sprouting feathers. I introduced them, but the bigger ones seemed to be pecking at him (I only left them alone for about 60 seconds). I couldn't tell if it was aggressive or not, but since he seems so weak I took him away. I was hoping I could introduce them before the other two reached maturity, but he is so small that I don't feel comfortable. I put him in a small cage

The feed I make is wheat, lentils, chickpeas, barley, oats, flaxseed and corn. I supplement it with tomatoes, broccoli, peas, snow peas, snap peas, boc choi, choi sum and other leafy greens. Plus hard boiled chicken eggs, fish and occasionally fruit. Plus the big guys get to forage in the yard during the day and pick up a lot of bugs and grass.

I'll look into fermented feed, sounds interesting. Everything ferments easily here in this heat.

 

[Miss Lydia]

He had 3 seizures in one day, but hasn't had any since. The other 2 have gotten massive since all of this happened. They are now 4 weeks old and sprouting feathers. I introduced them, but the bigger ones seemed to be pecking at him (I only left them alone for about 60 seconds). I couldn't tell if it was aggressive or not, but since he seems so weak I took him away. I was hoping I could introduce them before the other two reached maturity, but he is so small that I don't feel comfortable. I put him in a small cage

The feed I make is wheat, lentils, chickpeas, barley, oats, flaxseed and corn. I supplement it with tomatoes, broccoli, peas, snow peas, snap peas, boc choi, choi sum and other leafy greens. Plus hard boiled chicken eggs, fish and occasionally fruit. Plus the big guys get to forage in the yard during the day and pick up a lot of bugs and grass.

I'll look into fermented feed, sounds interesting. Everything ferments easily here in this heat.

Good idea not to let the little one be out with them but close by where the older ones will get use to it and the little one has time to grow. Your feed sounds really good, Keep pics coming i love to see them as they all mature. they change so much. Glad to hear no more seizures since those 3, I forgot to look up weight conversion since i don't do things in grams didn't know what 52 grams was so will do that now.. 52grams is 2 oz's boy you need to start packing on the food for this lil one. it's got alot of catching up to do. lol

 

[lina500]

Sorry, I meant to say I put him in a small cage where the other can see and hear him. I hope they will get used to him that way.

He's less than 2 ounces. For two weeks old he seems tiny, but he's only my third!

 

[lina500]

Do you know how much he should weigh (approx) at this age? I think the ducks here are mostly smaller/average size breeds.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Do you know how much he should weigh (approx) at this age? I think the ducks here are mostly smaller/average size breeds.

Really I don't but feel him all over you should be able to feel the large bone running down front real well in other words it shouldn't be sticking out prominent like. That just maybe his ideal weight for now. how's his appetite? That really does seem small but you should begin to notice pretty good growth and weight gain now that you have him on good feed. what do your others weigh in comparison?

 

[lina500]

I haven't weighed the others, but he about the same size they were at about 3 days old. I'd say he's about half the size they were at his age. He has a good appetite but not compared to the others!

 

[Miss Lydia]

I haven't weighed the others, but he about the same size they were at about 3 days old. I'd say he's about half the size they were at his age. He has a good appetite but not compared to the others!

Well hopefully it will pick up. he had a delayed start most likely but hopefully you'll start noticing alot of changes in the next week.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Awwwww....

No updates in a while how is it going?