Duckling suddenly died?

[Little Byrd]

Hi, I had 5 ducks ages 8-14 weeks old. The youngest started acting funny 2 days ago. She started constantly squeaking instead of quacking and she stood hunched up by the fence instead of splashing in the pool with the others.
Yesterday I found her dead on her side when I let the ducks out of the coop.

Today one of my males has started squeaking loudly instead of his regurlar voice. I'm worried the same might happen to him. What could possibly be going on with them? They are all eating and drinking just fine.

 

[GitaBooks]

I'm so sorry to hear that.
While I'm not expert on ducks or duck health, I can try to help narrow it down.

Is the male young like her or one of the older ones?
Has there been a change in temperature or weather?
How are their droppings?
Are they sneezing or wheezing?
Do they have any parasite problems?
What are they eating? Do they have access to anything dangerous?
How clean is the water?

I hope the rest remain healthy and happy.

 

[lomine]

I'm sorry you lost your duckling. Do you have a vet you can take the other one to? Did you notice any other symptoms?

 

[Little Byrd]

I'm so sorry to hear that.
While I'm not expert on ducks or duck health, I can try to help narrow it down.

Is the male young like her or one of the older ones?
Has there been a change in temperature or weather?
How are their droppings?
Are they sneezing or wheezing?
Do they have any parasite problems?
What are they eating? Do they have access to anything dangerous?
How clean is the water?

I hope the rest remain healthy and happy.

The male is 10 weeks, and yes there has been a sharp change in weather. It went from snowing to 65F in 24hours and has remained warm over here.

The ducks live together, so I don't know whose droppings are whose, but all the poop I noticed was light brown and solid. I have been feeding them a lot of mashed carrots and cabbage and other veggies. Is it okay to give the celery and the leaves? The only thing dangerous that they could have eaten is mashed veggies that have been out too long, and even then they would get a tummy ache at worst.

I give them twice a day either tap water or rain water that I keep in a big bucket under the gutter. They do sneeze sometimes, but it is very rare.

 

[GitaBooks]

Celery and vegetables shouldn't be a problem, and it sounds like their water is clean. Sneezing is normal for poultry, so I don't think that would be a sign.

Sorry I couldn't help more, but I hope these help:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/217284/sudden-death-in-ducks-more-dead

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/822421/sudden-duck-death-syndrome-any-ideas

 

[blueducklings]

Have they been eating spinach?
Does the eye of the dead bird look sunken?

 

[lomine]

Did any of the veggies spoil? If they ate spoiled food it could give them botulism and that can kill.

 

[Little Byrd]

Have they been eating spinach?
Does the eye of the dead bird look sunken?

No spinach, and the duckling still looked normal.

 

[blueducklings]

Oh good
Spinach causes their tiny kidneys to shut down and they dry up from the inside and die suddenly
Read that from the British Indian runner newsletter
A few of mine died that way

 

[GitaBooks]

Oh good
Spinach causes their tiny kidneys to shut down and they dry up from the inside and die suddenly
Read that from the British Indian runner newsletter
A few of mine died that way

I'm sorry to hear that. I'll keep away from the spinach with that in thought.

I've also heard spinach isn't good for animals because it prevents the absorption of calcium. Its weird to think humans can eat it when so many animals can't.