Duckling Not Thriving

[PeanutButterQuackers]

We just bought 10 khaki campbell ducklings from Metzer Farms. They arrived last Thursday. They were shipped Monday. When they arrived, the GroGel cup that Metzer placed was completely empty- literally not a drop left. But the ducks seemed okay, and fast forward to today: 9 are doing great. They've notably gained weight and are acting as expected.

One duckling however, who we've named Quackers, isn't thriving and I'm scared she won't survive. She doesn't react to motion, or she reacts very delayed. She walks into everything. She stands up like a runner duck and chirps. She literally chirps constantly- she will not stop. She doesn't appear to have gained any weight- I can tell her apart from picking her and literally any other duck up. She's the loud chirpy, teeny duckling. I've never seen her eat or drink. I've tried hand feeding her and she won't take it. She'll nibble no more than twice and then go back to chirping loudly.

Has anyone every dealt with this? The poor thing literally chirps until she can't anymore, then she just silently chirps moving her beak in the motion until she has the energy to chirp again. We got live ducklings because I knew my daughters (and myself, I'll admit) couldn't deal with losing hatchlings. I'm getting really scared for her...

 

[chickens really]

Hello..Have you tried wetting the feed to a soupy mix?
Check its butt too.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Sorry to say there is condition called failure to thrive but that doesn't mean we give up till it's over.
Do you have any poultry vitamins or Poly vi sol with out iron? Poultry Nutri Drench is awesome because it can be given straight into their tiny bills [never shot down the throat] Poly vi sol is another good one if you don't have the PND.
@PeanutButterQuackers

 

[PeanutButterQuackers]

I left a bowl of wet food, but the healthy ducks are going for it. Quackers is still chirping away.

Would you recommend separating her from the others so she has a better chance of getting at the food? There's plenty of food and room now, but the other ducks knock her out of the way like a fly.

What should I look for in her butt? Her butt is the only part of her that looks like the other ducks. Even her head is a little misshapen and she has a super pronounced ridge on her beak.

 

[casportpony]

I left a bowl of wet food, but the healthy ducks are going for it. Quackers is still chirping away.

Would you recommend separating her from the others so she has a better chance of getting at the food? There's plenty of food and room now, but the other ducks knock her out of the way like a fly.

What should I look for in her butt? Her butt is the only part of her that looks like the other ducks. Even her head is a little misshapen and she has a super pronounced ridge on her beak.

Can you post some pictures of her? Does her belly feel bloated? Does she poop? Check her vent (poop hole) for poop that's stuck on.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'd separate her maybe split the brooder in half or 3/4 so she can still see everyone but has a chance at food and water.

 

[chickens really]

I left a bowl of wet food, but the healthy ducks are going for it. Quackers is still chirping away.

Would you recommend separating her from the others so she has a better chance of getting at the food? There's plenty of food and room now, but the other ducks knock her out of the way like a fly.

What should I look for in her butt? Her butt is the only part of her that looks like the other ducks. Even her head is a little misshapen and she has a super pronounced ridge on her beak.

I only asked because I have one that gets constantly plugged up, although this one is special needs and needs to be culled..Not saying you need to Cull ..

 

[Miss Lydia]

See if she'll begin to eat once separated.

 

[onaharley]

Can you post a picture or a video of this duckling? Also is there a possibility that it might be blind? I am just tossing some thoughts out there.

 

[PeanutButterQuackers]

I think she definitely has vision impairment, but she reacts to movement. It's just very delayed.

She ate from my hand a little last night and this morning, or rather she nibbled but didn't seem able to get any actual food.

I'm going to try working with her a few more days. Then unfortunately I think we'll have to cull her or else let her starve to death which seems cruel.

Her vent is clear. From her symptoms ! I Think it's cognitive impairment.