Dwarf Muscovy Duckling?

[fuscia]

Need some others opinions and/or expertise! One of our ducklings that were hatched from a batch of 10 is significantly smaller than the rest of the batch. I don't know whats wrong with it, or if its a dwarf or what. They are 4 weeks old, but this one looks like its only about 2 weeks old. It seems to drink fine, but it definitely does not eat even half the amount the others do. When they are out foraging, it may grab a blade of grass or two, but mostly jsut stands amongst the batch all hunched up. It will follow them wherever they go and starts peeping loudly when left behind. It can't keep up but tries like hell. We have watched it with the duck feed (pellets) and it eats a few, but seems to eat only one at a time. I gave it a dish of the starter/grower crumbles back to see and it did eat more, but still would take very small mouthfuls and shook its head sometimes after taking some in. The mama duck takes good care of it and does not like to be separated from it. Any ideas?!

Awe, sorry she passed away. I have one doing exactly as you described. I bought it from tractor supply knowing it might not end well. But I just could turn away from him. He looked like he needed some help. He shakes his head if he tries to swallow to much. He’s kinda hunchy and half the size of the other ducklings.

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

Awe, sorry she passed away. I have one doing exactly as you described. I bought it from tractor supply knowing it might not end well. But I just could turn away from him. He looked like he needed some help. He shakes his head if he tries to swallow to much. He’s kinda hunchy and half the size of the other ducklings.

If you haven't already, you might want to consider supplementing with something like Nutri-Drench, in case the duckling's suffering from some kind of deficiency.

You must have some good karma coming for your kindness. Wishing you and your little one the best!

 

[fuscia]

If you haven't already, you might want to consider supplementing with something like Nutri-Drench, in case the duckling's suffering from some kind of deficiency.

You must have some good karma coming for your kindness. Wishing you and your little one the best!

Thank you, I did give him/her electrolytes and vitamin water mix. As well as emergency animal liquid feed. Emeraid or something. He began peeping a Lot the second day and passed away that night. I tried everything but couldn’t get him comfortable for very long. I hope feeding him didn’t make him feel worse. Poor little thing.

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

Ah, sorry to hear that...but you did your best to help and sometimes that's all we can do. With "failure to thrive" situations, I wonder if there wasn't some kind of internal problem that just made survival impossible.

 

[fuscia]

Thank you. It seems so. He wasn’t growing and by day two his siblings were twice his size. Oh well at least he was cared for and had family. Rather than being euthanized at the hatchery or taken to the back room at the store.