Ducklings Dying

[baseballkid]

So, I hatched 7 call ducklings this week. They were all fine last night, but I found out this morning they had spilled all their water into their newspaper and paper towel bedding. Three were down and wet, on their backs. One had died, and another one died a half hour later. The other seems to be doing better now. How do I stop them from doing this? I think I need to switch to straw bedding, is there anything else I can do? My waterer is one of the ones you would buy at a feed store for small chicks or ducklings.

My second problem is that apparently after I left, the heat lamp (just a reflector lamp) fell on two of my ducklings. My sister says that their eyes are a greenish color and they aren't walking straight and possibly having seizures. Is there anything I can do about this? Thanks for anyone who can help.

 

[Going Quackers]

Well i bed on shavings(mind you i am trying some new flax bedding with newer babies here) regardless that is what my calls just have been brooded on now they are a combo of wood pellet & shavings, they turn 5wks this weekend.

I used a metal mason jar waterer.. i liked the smaller water base design and the heavier jar vs plastic types.. only now are they big enough to take it over mind you.




For the lamp? i never have mine where they can actually access the birds, i use it above wire so if it were to fall it couldn't access the bedding(fire hazard) or result in injury.

How is your brooder set-up? sorry for you loses.

 

[baseballkid]

Well i bed on shavings(mind you i am trying some new flax bedding with newer babies here) regardless that is what my calls just have been brooded on now they are a combo of wood pellet & shavings, they turn 5wks this weekend.

I used a metal mason jar waterer.. i liked the smaller water base design and the heavier jar vs plastic types.. only now are they big enough to take it over mind you.




For the lamp? i never have mine where they can actually access the birds, i use it above wire so if it were to fall it couldn't access the bedding(fire hazard) or result in injury.

How is your brooder set-up? sorry for you loses.

I will have to set up a waterer with a bigger base like that one. I have a cover on mine but I lowered the lamp to below it to warm up the wet ones. The cord became unplugged so it fell. It is a big bin with a cover and heat lamp, food on one corner and water in the other. I usually have newspaper with paper towels but I am learning that it only works with chicks. I started with wood shavings but the ducklings started eating it. I'll have to switch to hay. Thanks for your help.

 

[Going Quackers]

Well for the first few days you can cover the shavings with paper towels till they learn what food really is, many times ducklings only appear to be eating them when they are just actually doing a duck truffle.

I admit i didn't even use paper towels with mine.. but it is a decent option. heat lamps are tricky but they are a huge fire risk so you have to be careful, i use tripods with mine in the house but the brooders have wire so if they fall they hit non flammable things, heavy duty chains in the barn.


Good luck! hopefully, the rest will do well, they are so delicate at first! it's kinda scary lol