Finally! Sandhill Ducklings HERE! (Updated w/ new pics 7/30)

[Sweetfolly]

I placed my order with Sandhill Preservation Center last November, requesting a hatch date in late April or early May. After an agonizing wait, I finally received a cheery phone message and e-mail from Linda last night telling me that they're on their way!!!

I ordered 6 Dutch Hookbills, 6 Assorted Runners, and 3 Dark Campbells, but I was too picky and requested no subs, and they couldn't fill those breeds/numbers. Apparently I got 3 of each breed (maybe 6 Dark Campbells, she wasn't too sure what actually ended up in the box

) and will receive a refund for the birds of each breed that I wanted and did not get - and they filled the rest of the order with mixed "packing peanuts" for free!

I'm a little peeved that, although Sandhill is only a 4 hour drive away from me, my little duckies did NOT arrive today - our postmistress assures me that she'll call me first thing when they arrive tomorrow. I'll update with pictures and what breeds (perhaps some surprises!) I ended up with tomorrow morning!!!

 

[Wifezilla]

 

[DuckFanatic]

 

[Dances with Ducks]

 

[Sweetfolly]

Got the call from the post office at 6:50 this morning!

They only sent 12 ducklings (so much for my surprise "packing peanuts"

) - 6 Dark Campbells, 3 Dutch Hookbills (looks like 2 solid dusky and 1 white), and 3 Indian Runners (1 buff, and 2 white). Sadly, one of the white Runners didn't make it through the trip

The white Hookbill is very runty, and after taking a sip of water, laid there and gasped and bobbed his head like he'd been drowned - he's calmed down now, but isn't eating or drinking like the other 10 - I'm really worried about him - I wanted a white Hookbill so badly, I don't think I could bear to lose him so soon after finally getting him

Any suggestions/advice on what might be wrong with him and anything I can do about it?

Here's a (terrible - sorry) pic of the babies that I was so sure wouldn't be coming this year! (The white Hookbill is the yellow fuzzie farthest to the left) More pics to come after they settle in a bit, and once I'm finished scouring the internet for ideas as to what's up with my itty bitty white Hookbill.

EDIT: I just wanted to edit to say that I DID NOT force the Hookbill to drink, getting water into his lungs, since that's what my searches are all pointing to - all of their bills were gently guided to the waterer, where they all plunged into it themselves - the Hookbill just seemed very surprised by it, although he did tip back his head and swallow before the episode of strange gasping and head bobbing - it almost looked like he had hiccups, do ducklings get hiccups? It seems to have subsided now, although he shows no interest in trying out the water or food again.

 

[Wifezilla]

do you have poly vi sol on hand? you may need to mix some with a little water and see if he will take a drop or two.

 

[Sweetfolly]

Quote:
I got him to take a dribble of sugar-water off my pinky finger, and then tried to give a straight drop of poly-vi-sol on the tip of his bill, which he kept wiping off on the floor - maybe a half a drop actually went down, as he did swallow just a teeny bit.

He doesn't seem to be able to walk either

He stands up, very wobbly, takes a stumble in the direction he wants to go, and then plops back down. Everyone else is huddled up napping under the heat lamp now, but he keeps stumbling off to the side, away from them and onto the damp floor by the waterer, where the temperature is registering at about 87. It also looks like he's coughed up some clear mucus - I'm getting a separate ICU ready for him right now, although I hate to take him away from his buddies.

It feels like my little mallard runt, Sunshine, all over again.

 

[Wifezilla]

DId you call Sandhill about the dead duckling and the runt? Sounds like they owe you 2 ducks.

 

[Dances with Ducks]

Oh little sweetie - we're rooting for him!

 

[Sweetfolly]

Because of the weak one, we rushed out of the post office and our postmistress said she'll be happy to fill out the form with us later, as she inspected the box and saw the poor little guy who didn't make it.

I don't think the white Hookbill is going to make it. He keeps flipping over on his back and gasping. He had a pasty butt, which I carefully cleaned with a warm, wet rag - but he sounds all backed up with fluid, and even though he's breathing (far too fast), his body feels like a dead weight in my hands.

I named him "Sundance".

UPDATE: Sundance passed away before I got him separated from the others - they were all curled around him protectively, as if they knew he needed them to help him on his way. It was an upsetting, but truly amazing scene to walk in on.

I'm on my way to bury him and the unnamed white Runner who didn't make it through shipping beside my runt white Mallard duckling (Sunshine) who passed a month ago. I guess I just have no luck with the white ducks

After that, I plan to call Glenn and Linda at Sandhill and let them know what happened. The other 10 are the healthiest, most vigorous ducklings I've ever had and I'm still very happy with my Sandhill birds. Sometimes bad, cruel things just happen - and there's nothing you can do about it.