Ducklings suddenly dying

[CrazyDuckLady86]

@chickens really I just looked it up and it sounds like that could be it. But I can't figure out where they would have gotten it from. Is it a genetic mutation? Could my big ducks have it but not show symptoms and pass it along to the littles? I tried reading a couple articles but they confused me more.

@Quacking ducks check out that duck hepatitis virus. It sounded very similar to what happened to my babies. I'm sorry you lost so many! It really sucks.

@Miss Lydia I've never seen or smelt duck poop quite like this before lol but it hasn't changed in a while so I'm gonna go with it haha it weird poop is from the one with bumblefoot. I think he's getting better..very, very, very slowly. Have you ever dealt with bumblefoot? This is my first time. I wasn't sure how long before they start feeling better. My other little one seems to be doing great! She's happy as can be. Especially when she gets to swim in the bathtub. Friggin spoiled duck lol

@casportpony thanks for that list! I'm in Maine and of course there weren't any on the list here...but it was worth a shot! Plus I think all the ones that have passed would be too old and gross to do anything with.

The vet I was told could help me, couldn't. I live in a very rural part of Maine so I guess I shouldn't be surprised, but its still very frustrating. My main goal right now is to get my babies better and keep my big ducks happy through the winter and try again in the spring. I'm going to try eggs from ducks that aren't mine and see if that changes anything. If they die too then I give up. I've babied the crap out of the 12 I've had die this summer. It sucks to have such problems! I just wish I knew that caused it all!

 

[Miss Lydia]

@casportpony can you help with info about duck hepatitis please.

 

[casportpony]

How old were the ducklings that died?

 

[CrazyDuckLady86]

How old were the ducklings that died?

My first 4 were just shy of 6 weeks old. The next 5 were just shy of 8 weeks. The last one was just shy of 9 weeks. The first 4 were hatched 6 weeks before the the next 8.

 

[casportpony]

My first 4 were just shy of 6 weeks old. The next 5 were just shy of 8 weeks. The last one was just shy of 9 weeks. The first 4 were hatched 6 weeks before the the next 8.

A lot of what I just read suggests that that duck viral hepatitis occurs in young ducklings, as in under 4 weeks. Did you see this link?
http://www.duckdvm.com/condition/duck-viral-hepatitis

 

[CrazyDuckLady86]

I hadn't seen that one. So I'm wondering if I have rats around and don't know it. That would make sense I suppose. The way they described the symptoms are the closest to what my babies have had too. I'm betting that's what happened. So now I have to figure out how to keep rats away...or keep them out of the babies pen. Guess I need to revamp my set up!

 

[casportpony]

I hadn't seen that one. So I'm wondering if I have rats around and don't know it. That would make sense I suppose. The way they described the symptoms are the closest to what my babies have had too. I'm betting that's what happened. So now I have to figure out how to keep rats away...or keep them out of the babies pen. Guess I need to revamp my set up!

When did the last one die?

 

[CrazyDuckLady86]

When did the last one die?

Last Thursday. Almost a week ago.

 

[Wolfefarmyard]

I gave them all fresh water, day and night.

The four that died earlier in the year were in a small chicken coop..one of those cheaply made ones similar to what you'd find at Tractor Supply. They had a black rubber bowl that they were using as a swimming pool. Those ones were all khaki campbell. I used Purina chick starter, not the medicated one, till the bag was gone. Then I switched them to the Purina grower pellets. They only had those for a couple days before they started dying.

My second batch of chicks were in a completely different house. I got one of those portable dog fences and set that up for them with a bigger dish for water. I would refill once in the morning when I let them out, once when I'd get home from work and maybe even a third time after supper. Some of them were pure khaki campbell. Some were a mix..I'm not sure what breed their mom's are. I used poulin grain chick starter till they were 4-5 weeks old then switched them to the grower pellets. They didn't seem to have any trouble till I came home one day after work and one was dead.

I have two boys that free range in the yard and they're fine, so I can't imagine it's anything to do with toxins in the yard. We don't spray weed killer or anything. They were able to get to shade if need be. I stopped using the heat lamp with all of them around 3ish weeks. My second batch I babied hard and always put extra vitamins in their water. All of them seemed healthy and happy...till they weren't anymore.

Don't apologize for asking! I appreciate you asking and trying to help. I am at a loss. I've had other ducks and not had this problem. That's why I was wondering about their dad passing something along. Any help is greatly appreciated!!

If you feed them chicken food, you have to add niacin to it.

 

[casportpony]

Last Thursday. Almost a week ago.

And the two reamining, how are they doing? I found this on a thread that @Texas Kiki did: https://extension.umaine.edu/veterinarylab/tests-pricing/

Call them in the morning and ask to speak with the lead avian pathologist and ask if Maine has seen any cases of duck hepatitis. I suggest this because I believe it's rare in North America.