Duckling problem

[nao57]

Haha,...

There's always someone with a duckling or chick is sick thread going up.

Today I get to be one of those people.

Well to be truthful the duckling isn't sick.

But...

One of the ducklings is much smaller than the others and not gaining weight very fast. I'm worrying about it because the others are starting to get bigger than it.

And because often the smaller ducks are female I don't want to take the risk of getting rid of it either.

Has this happened to you guys before, and what did you do to solve it?

She seems perfectly fine and walks around the pen just as much as the other ducklings. She doesn't act sick either. Just smaller.

 

[chickens really]

What breed? What age? Do the others allow it to eat without being chased away?

 

[nao57]

What breed? What age? Do the others allow it to eat without being chased away?

About 1 week old.

They do allow it to eat.

But maybe I'll keep an eye on that more now. I hadn't been actively thinking about it too much. Right now it looks like it just doesn't have much appetite.

Welsh Harleys

 

[chickens really]

About 1 week old.

They do allow it to eat.

But maybe I'll keep an eye on that more now. I hadn't been actively thinking about it too much. Right now it looks like it just doesn't have much appetite.

Welsh Harleys

Do you provide any wet soupy feed? Some little Ducklings do better with that. Plus provide the dry.

 

[nao57]

Do you provide any wet soupy feed? Some little Ducklings do better with that. Plus provide the dry.

:O

I should have thought about that. I'll try that.

 

[chickens really]

:O

I should have thought about that. I'll try that.

Good luck. Hopefully that solves the weight issue..

 

[HollowOfWisps]

At a week old I wouldn't worry too much especially since Welsh Harlequins are not a very large breed. All of my hens were at least half the size of my Drake's even some started showing a size difference at a week old.

 

[nao57]

At a week old I wouldn't worry too much especially since Welsh Harlequins are not a very large breed. All of my hens were at least half the size of my Drake's even some started showing a size difference at a week old.

Thanks.

Although its not an issue, another thing happening is now their bills are all turning dark, so I can no longer tell which are male and female by bill color.

I guess that will remain this way until they are big enough to quack, without any other options?