Ducklings w/ weak legs - improved w/Pic

[katharinad]

The white stuff in your grass may be fungus and not mold. Ducks have a good sense of taste and they will not eat it. Most the fungus in the grass is not toxic anyway. Another thing that comes to my mind is grit. Are you given them any indoors? They need that to digest their food and to absorb nutrients. I have a 5 pound bag of builders sand from home depot and they always have a small 4 ounce jar of that indoors. I start that one day 2 in the brooder. Now they don't get any sand, since they are outdoors everyday. My guess is that your ducks are now getting the grit they need outdoor and therefore they are improving fast. Just a thought. Vitamin water with electrolytes are also important. Mine got it the first week daily and not they are getting it once per week.
Katharina

 

[L0rraine]

Iamcuriositycat - it probably is a good idea to keep in mind that feed could be a problem (hopefully it will never be as bad as the bad cat and dog food that came from China a few years back).

Katharinad - The reminder of the need for grit is a pretty interesting thought as well. The ducklings were strictly indoors for the first couple of weeks (mostly because the weather here was so bad), but as soon as they were outside and next to a pool they were doing that thing where they drink and then forage in the muddy grass next to the pool, which I'm sure was probably good for them. It's amazing all the wonderful things available to them naturally, if they can just have access to them.

They continue to do well, but now look especially 'unhappy' after long spells indoors. They've been "Running with the Big Ducks" a bit, though I have to keep a constant eye on them, cause the drake tries to give them a nasty tweak every now and them.

 

[sarandmolls]

Check the crumb is not medicated or ducklings can overdose as they eat more than chicks. This can cause wobbly or weak legs. You should be able to buy a non-medicatied alternative. It's not always clearly labelled.