Got our ducklings!

[Zombified]

Haha, I know. Soon they'll be these big brown ducks and you'll wonder where the time went and what the heck happened. My Mallard seemed to double in size over night.

 

[jebber]

Well, lost a duckling this evening.

We had them out for their first swim this afternoon, brought them back in - everyone was fine. Had a little kale treat about an hour later, still fine. They already have us trained - when they wake up from their nap; they make a racket. They expect someone to talk to them while they eat. They stand & chirp and look outside the box until someone joins them. About an hour ago they got up chirping as usual, the wife went to say hello and called me over. One was barely chirping and wasn't up with the others. Called me over and I picked her up. She was limp in my hands & I did a quick vent & throat check. Seemed ok. Laid her in the box we use when cleaning the brooder. Quick convulsion & was dead. Other five seem normal, watching them close. Very sad.

No clue as to what happened, we had discussed losing babies, still heartbreaking.

 

[itsbob]

Sad.

We just ordered khaki eggs from the same farm.

Have a 7 year old boy at home and can't wait to see him interact with the baby ducks and chickens.

 

[Zombified]

Oh no. ): I'm so sorry! I would clean out the brooder and make sure the food isn't moldy. I really don't know what else, though.

 

[Miss Lydia]

you said you fed kale are you offering grit? if feeding any thing besides their crumble they need grit to be able to grid it up. So sorry for your loss. Hope they rest are still doing great.

 

[jebber]

Good morning & thanks all. The other five are all doing well. No problems & the wife is watching them close.

I did clean the brooder immediately & we change out the feed 3 or 4 times a day. We waste a lot that way but ....

We do have (starter) feed & water for them 24/7, they get a kale or lettuce treat once a day. I'm thinking she might have choked on some bedding (pine shavings) but really don't know. Wife reminded me later that she was breathing very heavy when it all started. Everyone was fine, took a nap and when they woke up we found the problem. From "honey, look at this one" to dead was less than 5 minutes. Naps are typically less than a half hour (it seems). Stuff happens & it's one reason we ordered a half dozen.

The six year old is insisting on a memorial service this evening.

 

[Zombified]

May I ask what kind of lettuce? I don't think iceberg lettuce is *bad* for them, but it holds absolutely zero nutritional value, from what I've read. But if they eat other stuff, too, then I doubt it would cause a problem.

On a lighter note, try peas! My ducks *love* peas. When they were itty bitty like yours, I cut them in half. They used to try and run each other over to get to all the peas. They still love them the most lol.

 

[jebber]

Hiya, the wife would need to answer that one - she's a vegetarian & makes me eat all kinds of green stuff. I quit asking what it is a looong time ago. I'd guess romaine but really don't know. It's the leaf stuff not 'head' if that makes sense.

We're feeding gamebird/chick starter and oats mix, (per storeys guide), I did electrolytes/vitamins on Sat & planned on doing that weekly. Hadn't planned on niacin supplement unless needed - but got some today. They also get about 10 minutes of yard time everyday. Yesterday was first swim, went great until about 4 hours later?!?

I had planned on peas based on reading here but 'the list' says wait til 4 wks old. Mashed banana was viturally ignored.

 

[Britesea]

I am so sorry to hear you lost one! Mine are about a week older than yours and I got mine from Metzer as well. So far, all 10 of mine are still ok, but I do worry.

I tried mashing up the peas, but mine have been perfectly fine with whole peas for the last 4 days or so. I sprinkle a handful in the tub during swim time every morning while I am cleaning out their box-- it's so much fun to watch them swoop after them!

I have to say, when I saw the picture of Chloe, I did a double-take. She looks so much like my granddaughter (also named Chloe) that I had to check that you didn't live in California and were actually my son, lol

 

[Zombified]

Can't say I've followed the list to a T. I followed what *not* to give them, but I tried pretty much everything else when they were young. They've always loved watermelon and peas.