Drake not socializing

[Mghnmarie218]

We have 6 cayugas (2 drakes, 4 hens) that are 10 weeks old. Today I noticed our smaller Drake didn’t come out of the run with everyone else and when he did he would wander off by himself. He also seemed to be moving more slowly than usual.

Yesterday he was alert and very social with the flock, staying with everyone, eating, and drinking normally.

I was able to bring him into the house and set up a pen with a stuffed animal. He did drink some water with Waterfowl Boost and ate some black soldier fly larvae. His poops are watery and I noticed some white crusties on his butt feathers.

Added a photo of his backend (sorry it’s blurry, they don’t stay still lol) and one of him off by himself while the rest of the flock was near me.

Hoping to get him into the vet tomorrow but looking for any advice/ideas. Should I put him back with the flock?

 

[ruthhope]

We have 6 cayugas (2 drakes, 4 hens) that are 10 weeks old. Today I noticed our smaller Drake didn’t come out of the run with everyone else and when he did he would wander off by himself. He also seemed to be moving more slowly than usual.

Yesterday he was alert and very social with the flock, staying with everyone, eating, and drinking normally.

I was able to bring him into the house and set up a pen with a stuffed animal. He did drink some water with Waterfowl Boost and ate some black soldier fly larvae. His poops are watery and I noticed some white crusties on his butt feathers.

Added a photo of his backend (sorry it’s blurry, they don’t stay still lol) and one of him off by himself while the rest of the flock was near me.

Hoping to get him into the vet tomorrow but looking for any advice/ideas. Should I put him back with the flock?

I am glad to know you have a vet available. Many of us do not. I cannot comment on his vent area or his behavioral signs. But your little ones are now juveniles and growing out of being clutch mates. By 12 weeks you can expect pecking order behaviors to start and by 16 weeks, your drakes might try (inexpertly) to mate the females. Your sex ratio is very out for a happy transition to adulthood. You need to get at least another 4 juvenile females, or rehome one of the drakes.

Please let us know what your vet says

 

[Mghnmarie218]

I am glad to know you have a vet available. Many of us do not. I cannot comment on his vent area or his behavioral signs. But your little ones are now juveniles and growing out of being clutch mates. By 12 weeks you can expect pecking order behaviors to start and by 16 weeks, your drakes might try (inexpertly) to mate the females. Your sex ratio is very out for a happy transition to adulthood. You need to get at least another 4 juvenile females, or rehome one of the drakes.

Please let us know what your vet says

We kept him inside with us until midnight last night (east coast) and he was eating, drinking, and seemed to become more alert. We found him deceased in the coop this morning.

Planning on taking him to the vet lab for a necropsy to make sure it wasn’t something contagious.

 

[ruthhope]

We kept him inside with us until midnight last night (east coast) and he was eating, drinking, and seemed to become more alert. We found him deceased in the coop this morning.

Planning on taking him to the vet lab for a necropsy to make sure it wasn’t something contagious.

So sad. Please let us know the result of the necropsy. Perhaps he ate something toxic to fade and die so fast.

 

[Mghnmarie218]

So sad. Please let us know the result of the necropsy. Perhaps he ate something toxic to fade and die so fast.

Pathology is back. Give your babies extra treats for our lil Boogie. Attaching screenshot.

 

[ruthhope]

Oh poor wee duck. I hope it faded and died peacefully.

Nothing anyone might have done.

 

[Mghnmarie218]

Oh poor wee duck. I hope it faded and died peacefully.

Nothing anyone might have done.

We do too. He got extra lovies last night and treats. Given that the report said post mortem was in good condition we’re guessing he passed not long before we found him. He was in his house with his flock mates.

Lab said he most likely went to sleep and didn’t wake up. They also said they were surprised he made it to 10 weeks