Duckling Looks Dead Every Morning

[NancyNY]

Every morning this 3 week old Runner duckling is stiff and looks dead. I pick it up, wrap it in a towel, rub and talk to it. Within minutes its up and going again. Any idea what is wrong?

Its got plenty of water, food and warmth. Only happens in the morning

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

Hi - do you turn on the light when you enter the brooder area in the morning? If so, I think your duckling may be having a seizure triggered by the light. I've seen this before (in Runners only), and it's pretty freaky...but they seem to grow out of it. You could try avoiding a sudden change in lighting and sound, like a light that gradually comes on and speaking softly to warn the duckling that you're coming into the room.

I'd be sure that there are no water dishes that the duckling could fall into during an episode and drown, too.

 

[NancyNY]

Hi - do you turn on the light when you enter the brooder area in the morning? If so, I think your duckling may be having a seizure triggered by the light. I've seen this before (in Runners only), and it's pretty freaky...but they seem to grow out of it. You could try avoiding a sudden change in lighting and sound, like a light that gradually comes on and speaking softly to warn the duckling that you're coming into the room.

I'd be sure that there are no water dishes that the duckling could fall into during an episode and drown, too.

Thank you! Yes that is what I was doing, flipping on the bathroom light. Today we moved them into a larger pen in the garage. So Im hoping it does better. Im so glad I asked on here because no one seemed to know what was wrong with it.

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

You're most welcome - glad I could share a "lesson learned". I remember clearly when I had a small group of fawn & white Runner ducklings (hatchery f&w, anecdotally at least, more prone to these kinds of seizures) and I flipped on the light in the brooder room...three appeared to be in rigor.

It was only after scooping them up - wracking my brain to try to figure out how they'd died in a secure brooder - that I realized they were warm and alive. And in a few minutes, each came around and was completely back to normal. I'm pretty sure I gained more than a few gray hairs over the matter.

Ironically, I wouldn't have seen this behavior if they'd been housed outside, where it would grow light gradually in the morning.

Best wishes to you and your ducklings!

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Wow! I've wanted Runners ever since I've wanted ducks, but oh my goodness. This looks like a daily emotional roller-coaster! They're still absolutely adorable characters. About how long does this happen? I know that it doesn't always happen but oh my heart!

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

Wow! I've wanted Runners ever since I've wanted ducks, but oh my goodness. This looks like a daily emotional roller-coaster! They're still absolutely adorable characters. About how long does this happen? I know that it doesn't always happen but oh my heart!

It doesn't happen to every Runner, and once you move them to a setting where they can't be startled by sudden bright lights, they seem to be fine. They are very entertaining, and great layers.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

It doesn't happen to every Runner, and once you move them to a setting where they can't be startled by sudden bright lights, they seem to be fine. They are very entertaining, and great layers.

So maybe brooding in a room with a lot of windows will help or possibly even solve this?

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

So maybe brooding in a room with a lot of windows will help or possibly even solve this?

I think it could...the room should gradually lighten as the sun comes up. I suspect it's the abrupt transition from dark to bright light that triggers seizures in some.