Duckling on deaths door

[WVduckchick]

Is the first post correct in saying 45 days old? 1.5 months? They should not need that much heat at 45 days old, and bathing shouldn't be an issue at that age either.

 

[Duckworth]

I wasn’t sure because he said he dictated the first post and there were errors. So I’m unclear on what stage the ducklings are at.

 

[Miss Lydia]

What are the temps in their brooder? This is very important because over heating can be serious as chilling them. Can you post pics of your set up? What bedding are you using? Your not failing your learning but you need to provide us with information as to what bedding your using and if you haven’t said what breed of ducks? And pics can really help.

 

[PheasantCreekFarm]

Hello, duckling was alive at 11:25pm Valentine’s Day. Wouldn’t eat and wouldn’t drink. Still more so sitting than standing. I witnessed it trying to walk twice and falling into a “dead” position. I know it’s going to die at that point. I take my little heater along with my freshly washed duckling up to my bed. I struggle to keep it alive & at 11:59 PM I thought I lost it- Still Valentine’s Day. And then realize it is still alive at midnight- Grateful it didn’t die on Valentine’s Day. I keep it alive until 12:10 a.m. February 15th. The duckling hatched 12/25/18 and died 2/15/19. I’m believing I should find someone to take and care for all my remaining ducklings. I’m not able to see them dirty- I’m not caring for them properly.

 

[PheasantCreekFarm]

I wasn’t sure because he said he dictated the first post and there were errors. So I’m unclear on what stage the ducklings are at.

Ducklings hatched Christmas Day. 12/25/18 Metzer Farms. Arrived in La Crosse Indiana . Assuming they shipped 12/26/18 out of CA from Metzer Farms. I bought them 1/26/19 . First day on Tractor Supply Shavings (I’ll take a pic of the bag) then organic winter wheat straw. When this became unmanageable to keep clean and replace everyday I tried putting down cotton protective pads like what they provide at the Dr. office to sit on in your examination room (on the table). Then I switched to cutting the sides of very large adult diapers and laying them out to cover the space the ducklings were. Then I just went to nothing and cleaned the area with the shower hand held. Giving them a cleaning as well. I believe they delighted in this ritual. As about every hour I will go and see how dirty it was and clean it all perfect. I would carry them (all nine) from the kiddie pool (the BROODER) - temp at 70 degrees based on an accurite digital thermometer- to the laundry tub and give them a bath and clean their kiddie pool again. So they are not sitting or floating in water at all times but we’re sprayed down at frequent intervals. Baths were very nice and warm. I would dry each duckling with its own towel and then carry it back to the kiddie pool. And I would hear them preening and cooing - The sweetest sounds. Like I enjoyed on our four hour trip back from Indiana. So with everyone’s help here yesterday and all the advice, I put diapers on the Pekins And kept switching the three remaining khaki Campbell’s from one laundry tub to the next laundry tub all day long cleaning as soon as I saw a mess. So the three remaining khaki Campbell’s were clean and dry. And when I saw a mess to clean in their laundry tub- I picked each of them up and put it in the clean laundry tub- washed the dirty laundry tub with nearly boiling water then put the ducklings (still dry because they were in the clean tub and away & separate from the tub I was cleaning) - and no sooner did they get put in the clean tub to wait momentarily while I cleaned their dirty tub- when I lifted each duckling to place it back in the new fresh washed tub- each one had left dirty there in the tub I had placed them in only momentarily while I cleaned their other tub (where there’s a heat lamp). I don’t think I’m capable of caring for these ducks properly. Was so happy with some of the ideas I had to care for them to keep them clean and feed them and water them. I’m using a large mortar and pestle stone dish for their water heavy they cannot tip over and just wash it and replace the water every hour. And I was pleased with my feeding set up of each duckling having their own raised cup. I had the height perfect so they can eat/drink but not get it dirty. And because they’re a little coffee cups they just can get washed real easily. And I alternated feed water feed water. It’s 4:15 AM Central standard time. I’ll see who’s alive in the morning. I’m exhausted and feel so defeated.

 

[Miss Lydia]

How many ducklings do you still have? @PheasantCreekFarm do you have anyone there who can take over the care for the remaining ones? Very sorry for your losses

 

[chickens really]

Can you move them outside? To their permanent pen.

 

[Miss Lydia]

This information is for starting out with ducklings but maybe it will help some with ideas.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/duckling-care-brooder-ideas.64854/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...e-list-of-duck-treats-and-supplements.242460/
Do you live where temps are above freezing and do you have a coop and pen already set up outside?

70* is way to low for young ducklings at first they haven't anyway to control their body temps. Is this the temp they have been at since you brought them home from Indiana?

 

[Duckworth]

I’m exhausted and feel so defeated.

I’m so sorry! It’s not supposed to be this hard! Sometimes the hardest thing is realizing that our needs and the needs of those we are caring for are in conflict and we need to make a change. And if allowing the ducks to get dirty isn’t something you can do, then your thought of rehoming them to an environment more compatible with their needs could be a good plan. If that is the route you choose and you don’t know anyone who can take your remaining ducks, consider finding your state’s thread on this website and reaching out to see whether any other BYC members can lend a hand with finding your ducks a new home.

Do you have an outdoor setup prepared for your ducks? Is the weather outside such that you could start acclimating them to a move to their outdoor home? What is your hope for the long term role your ducks would have? Are they layers, meat birds, or pets. Your name suggests that you are on a farm. Do you have other animals or are you just getting started? I’m not meaning to pry, but just to try to help you find a way to make this work for you and your ducks. Everyone else here is trying to do the same. I’ve only been keeping ducks for two years and the people here on BYC have been such a great source of practical help and encouragement to me.

 

[quackingdom]

You don't need to give up yet! We all have to learn.

Is it at all possible to take them outside? (Depends on the weather of course.) I think they really need to be outside, at least for a short while each day under supervision. They'll be happier and healthier, and you won't have to clean up after them.

Consider sand as bedding. It's easy to keep clean: https://the-chicken-chick.com/chicken-coop-bedding-sand-litter/

I agree that it's not supposed to be this hard. I can't imagine having to clean every hour. I don't think I've ever cleaned any duck or chicken enclosure or brooder more than once a day.

Ducks ARE messy and you can't help that. Of course there's a level of dirtiness that's unhealthy, but it's impossible to get them 100% clean. You might consider chickens instead if you can't handle messes. Chickens can be messy too, but not as much.