Duckling is having a hard time pooping

[The Phantom]

@casportpony here is what I’m feeding them. I started with the all flock and 3 days ago my dad got the Mazuri waterfowl starter. So I have been feeding them 50/50 of each. The Mazuri kind has fish meal as the protein. I thought maybe giving both was making them sick so I stopped tonight and am feeding straight all flock again

 

[ellend]

If the mineral oil is mixed in her feed she won't inhale it.

 

[ellend]

Now that you know it's pasty butt, skip the mineral oil. Is your brooder temperature warm enough? Do they huddle together under the heat source (too cold) or spread out comfortably a little away from the heat source (perfect.) Cold will stress them and cause pasty butt, amongst other things. Make sure there are no breezes chilling them. Clean those affected butts GENTLY, check them every few hours, and don't pull stuff off their vents; soak it gently with warm water and a q-tip until it softens and comes off. If you pull, chances are good skin will come off with the poop, and they will have scar tissue, which doesn't stretch. Not good. A tiny bit of apple cider vinegar in the water (don't use any vinegar if your water dispensers have metal) might help. Keep the bedding and food and water meticulously clean. Watch for pasty butt for another two weeks. Get a powdered probiotic and add it to their feed. Make sure they are on a proper diet for ducklings; the wrong protein level and they can develop "angel wing" deformity. Poultry feed is NOT suitable for ducklings. Good luck with your babies; I hope this all turns around quickly for you, with no more deaths.

 

[ellend]

The All Flock is the wrong protein percentage. Feed them the Waterfall Starter ONLY.

 

[ellend]

Note that the All Flock 18% protein feed is listed for ducks OVER 7 weeks of age. That's VERY important. Good luck! Keep us posted!

 

[The Phantom]

Now that you know it's pasty butt, skip the mineral oil. Is your brooder temperature warm enough? Do they huddle together under the heat source (too cold) or spread out comfortably a little away from the heat source (perfect.) Cold will stress them and cause pasty butt, amongst other things. Make sure there are no breezes chilling them. Clean those affected butts GENTLY, check them every few hours, and don't pull stuff off their vents; soak it gently with warm water and a q-tip until it softens and comes off. If you pull, chances are good skin will come off with the poop, and they will have scar tissue, which doesn't stretch. Not good. A tiny bit of apple cider vinegar in the water (don't use any vinegar if your water dispensers have metal) might help. Keep the bedding and food and water meticulously clean. Watch for pasty butt for another two weeks. Get a powdered probiotic and add it to their feed. Make sure they are on a proper diet for ducklings; the wrong protein level and they can develop "angel wing" deformity. Poultry feed is NOT suitable for ducklings. Good luck with your babies; I hope this all turns around quickly for you, with no more deaths.

Ok. I’ll get them on some probiotics. I usually run their butt under warm water then apply antibiotic ointment to keep it from drying.

Note that the All Flock 18% protein feed is listed for ducks OVER 7 weeks of age. That's VERY important. Good luck! Keep us posted!

That is what I have fed to my baby swans and ducks for years to start them. I go to my feed mill and ask for duck starter and they bring that out and say it’s fine for baby ducks.

 

[The Phantom]

Should I completely switch to the actual duck starter or mix it 50/50 for a few days?

 

[The Phantom]

@casportpony what do you think?

 

[The Phantom]

@WVduckchick what do you think?

 

[The Phantom]

So about an hour ago I took my tame 2 for a swim. I brought them down stairs and let them follow me to the water. Maybe 10-15feet. I checked the little girls butt and put her down. After a minute she started like swimming side ways with her head kinked. I immediately got her on the blanket and the she was walking around like she was drunk with her wings out and her head kinked to one side.