Ducklings are dying

[Samanthh]

Hi everyone, I just received 16 ducklings. They were in transit for 3 days. When I received them 2 had passed in transit. I placed remaining ducklings in the brooder box with the heat lamp. I gave them food and water( water was heated). I now have 5 ducklings that have passed.
Two passed after placing the water down for 5 minutes. I removed the water and food and waited an hour. I then placed the water back in the brooder and a few minutes later I had another one pass. I’m not sure if it’s because they were in transit for so long or if I am doing something to cause this… any advice.

thank you

 

[CluckerFamily]

They should have access to food and water all day, since you are using a heat lamp, they will be up throughout the night eating and drinking so they will need access at night also.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Do you have a picture of your brooder set up? How hot is it in the room that their brooder is in? Are you using the red or white bulbs for the heat lamp?

 

[addctd2plnts]

Use tepid water, not cold water. Do you have any grow gel or electrolytes? That might help. Are they drinking and eating?

 

[Samanthh]

a few questions I have.
How often should I be giving them food and water or should I be leaving it in the brooder box for their availability?
I know they need water when food is available.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Make sure your heat lamp is at opposite end of where food an water is so ducklings can get away from the heat if needed. And I’ve be never kept my duckling at 95-99 I’d work on more like 90. Others my have differing opinions but this is just what I’ve done actually I keep my brooders more around 85-87. What breed are you talking about. And I can imagine those little ones went through the front gel pretty quick.

 

[Yardmom]

How large is the container? Are they able to get out of the heat? Even baby ducks need to have a place to cool off. They should not be warm all the time.

 

[CluckerFamily]

Can you upload a picture of your brooder setup?

 

[HollowOfWisps]

I just put down fresh water and within 10 minutes another duck died. Completely healthy and active before the water….

Update: Just lost another. Im at a complete loss. Adjusted the lamp to be 90 degrees underneath. It seems the more these ducks eat and drink the more losses im getting. Down to 8 ducklings out of the 14 living.

Are you making sure that they have a continuous supply of water and not running out? If it's too hot and they don't have water for periods of time they will basically engorge themselves on water. They need 24/7 access to both food and water. I also agree with the others that your brooder temperature is too high especially if the temperature in the room is 70+ degrees. I would be starting out at 90 degrees and you have to be super careful with the red heat lamp bulbs they can fry ducklings. If your ducklings brooder is indoors I would highly advise ditching the red heat lamp bulb. Also make sure that your entire brooder is not heated. Ducklings need to be able to get away from the heat. A good indicator is if they are all in the farthest corners/sides of the brooder away from the heat it's too hot in there.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Contact the hatchery. What are the temps? No telling what temperature fluctuations they have been through for 3 days. I hope the rest survive