I have a few ducklings from different sources all about 3 weeks ago. They are having a really rough go of it-seems each day i"m losing one.
Symptons: Breathing very hard, dirty , bald spots. I've never really noticed-when do ducklings preen? These guys don't seem to have any inkling about preening. Do I need to put them in a warm bath and see what happens? I fear the bald spots are from lack of personal hygeine.
Pen: Water trough with heat lamp-they can get out of the heat. Water is contained in jug with holes cut into it so they can't bathe. Bedding -hay and large paper shreds (they aren't eating it), stays fairly dry.
Food: Organic grain mix (16%) with soy bean meal added to raise protein up (aiming for 18-20%. Greens-grass, dandelions, a handful a day. Brewers yeast in the feed.
Water: In jug with hole for access-niacin added.
I was having troubles keeping their pen clean and thought that was the route of my problems. I changed their water arrangement and that has solved the dirty pen but they are still dying. I'm thinking they must have a virus. I added tetracycline med to their water today. Anyone have any other suggestions?
Symptons: Breathing very hard, dirty , bald spots. I've never really noticed-when do ducklings preen? These guys don't seem to have any inkling about preening. Do I need to put them in a warm bath and see what happens? I fear the bald spots are from lack of personal hygeine.
Pen: Water trough with heat lamp-they can get out of the heat. Water is contained in jug with holes cut into it so they can't bathe. Bedding -hay and large paper shreds (they aren't eating it), stays fairly dry.
Food: Organic grain mix (16%) with soy bean meal added to raise protein up (aiming for 18-20%. Greens-grass, dandelions, a handful a day. Brewers yeast in the feed.
Water: In jug with hole for access-niacin added.
I was having troubles keeping their pen clean and thought that was the route of my problems. I changed their water arrangement and that has solved the dirty pen but they are still dying. I'm thinking they must have a virus. I added tetracycline med to their water today. Anyone have any other suggestions?
