Days old duckling having problems

[Laver]

So on thursday evening, there was a group of ducks trying to cross the road, and one of the little ducklings at the very end would sit down and try to follow, do a springy 'jump' type motion rather than walking, and loose balance, falling over. It couldn't keep up and obviously was having problems so I took it to care for. (The mother didn't seem to care for it either.) By the way, most likely a mallard.

Anyway, this morning the little one was running around and hopping on his tent and roosting there. (It's just a little setup under the heat lamp that is darker) But now he's back to, if not worse than the other day. Whenever we have tried to feed him (and I think he had only been a day or two old when I found him) he shakes his head back and forth as if trying to swallow, then just erratically flips its head right to left, splattering things everywhere. It tries to chew on hands and also seems to try to eat, and he does drink, but I am worried. At first I thought the upper area of his leg may be broken, but he was showing otherwise this morning. I also think he is too young to have Mereks symptoms, but I've only seen it in chickens so I'm not sure. Currently he has non-medicated starter that has been soaked in water, and yellow of the egg yolk mixed with water and a little sugar. I think he's interested in food but doesn't seem to have an easy time eating it. Any thoughts? Thank you.

 

[Miss Lydia]

So on thursday evening, there was a group of ducks trying to cross the road, and one of the little ducklings at the very end would sit down and try to follow, do a springy 'jump' type motion rather than walking, and loose balance, falling over. It couldn't keep up and obviously was having problems so I took it to care for. (The mother didn't seem to care for it either.) By the way, most likely a mallard.

Anyway, this morning the little one was running around and hopping on his tent and roosting there. (It's just a little setup under the heat lamp that is darker) But now he's back to, if not worse than the other day. Whenever we have tried to feed him (and I think he had only been a day or two old when I found him) he shakes his head back and forth as if trying to swallow, then just erratically flips its head right to left, splattering things everywhere. It tries to chew on hands and also seems to try to eat, and he does drink, but I am worried. At first I thought the upper area of his leg may be broken, but he was showing otherwise this morning. I also think he is too young to have Mereks symptoms, but I've only seen it in chickens so I'm not sure. Currently he has non-medicated starter that has been soaked in water, and yellow of the egg yolk mixed with water and a little sugar. I think he's interested in food but doesn't seem to have an easy time eating it. Any thoughts? Thank you.

Does he have a waterer with just water in it? ducks have to be able to wash down their food. You might want to pick up some plain niacin and add to his water 150mgs to 1 gal of water. they can have a niacin deficiency and chick starter doesn't have enough for ducklings so we have to supplement with either Brewers yeast or plain niacin. also you might have to think there may have been something already wrong with this lil one from what you have explained. But by all means keep doing what your doing to help it. Make sure temps aren't too hot in the brooder should be around 85* first week drop 5 degrees each week there after. Ducks don't get mereks. and if you have a stuffed animal it may like to cuddle with one. Let us know how the lil one is doing, if you decide to get niacin you will most likely have to ask for it because for some reason it's kept behind the counter, don't get non flushing or time released. also some good poultry vitamins would help also, and Welcome

 

[Laver]

OK thank you.

I think he is dying now, though. He has been gasping for air for hours now. It seems like he tries to sleep but can't control his head is doing that. I feel so bad for him. Does anyone at least recognize this? He can hardly walk and sometimes uses his beak to pull himself where he wants to go, but only a bit. He moves around to a comfortable place and can at times roll himself accidentally.

He is trying to preen right now but he acts a lot like he cant control a lot of his own body.

As of 1 am, he's mostly sleeping or near-sleeping.

 

[duckyfromoz]

Sadly wild ducklings - even when they have only spent a short time with their mother do not do well when hand raised. It sounds like there was something wrong with the little guy as well. Thanks go to you for trying to help the little one out. It sound to me very similar to symptoms I have seen in thiamine deficient ducklings- but a little different too by the way you describe his movements. It could have been a brain injury or something spinal as well - But without knowing the little ones history I think the cause will forever remain a mystery.

The gasping does sound like he will not be with you much longer. So sorry that the outcome wasnt better for you- but at least this little one has had some comfort for the time you have been caring for him. In the wild little ones that arent quite right dont last very long as the mother will just leave the ones that cant keep up.

 

[Miss Lydia]

OK thank you.

I think he is dying now, though. He has been gasping for air for hours now. It seems like he tries to sleep but can't control his head is doing that. I feel so bad for him. Does anyone at least recognize this? He can hardly walk and sometimes uses his beak to pull himself where he wants to go, but only a bit. He moves around to a comfortable place and can at times roll himself accidentally.

He is trying to preen right now but he acts a lot like he cant control a lot of his own body.

As of 1 am, he's mostly sleeping or near-sleeping.

So sorry