- Jan 23, 2015
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We have week old mallard ducklings. Up until yesterday evening we have been feeding rice bran and hen scratch. Mainly the rice bran with a little hen scratch. Yesterday I changed food to Purina Start & Grow Medicated (http://purinamills.com/chicken-feed/products/start-grow-amp-0125/). I have read that it's ok for the ducklings to have medicated as long as it's Amprolium. I also purchased 2 galvanized feeders and started using one for the food and one for the water so they could not get into the bowls of water I had been using. This evening I noticed them laying bundled more than they had been. I watched them eat and drink and noticed how one of them was sitting on it's legs instead of standing. Then a few hours later noticed them all seeming to have a little trouble walking or not wanting to walk as much. When I reached down and tried moving them from their little bundle they didn't want to move and usually they would jump up and move away from my hand. I just started using Durvet Vitamins & Electrolytes in their water an hour or so ago which has niacin (http://www.durvet.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=98:vitamins-and-electrolytes-concentrate&Itemid=66). I mixed 1 teaspoon with 1 gallon of water. Then after reading some post on here I added another 1/2 teaspoon of water as I read if it's a niacin problem it would not hurt to add more of this.
I've also noticed their poop has been really wet and like waterery on the edges..but now (this evening) it's more solid and with a little white - kinda like chicken poop. Maybe what I was feeding wasn't doing the job and caused the leg probs but now I'm getting on the right track but hasn't had time to work yet??? I have them in my garden tub and I clean it frequently. I did notice them eating some of their poop before - but not much. I got a cage for them today so I can lift it up. I changed their water back to a small bowl (about 1.5 inches water level) thinking maybe the galvanized was a problem.
OK, I just edited this: I just checked on them and they are now kind of panting...breathing heavy and fast with opening beaks...OMG I don't know what to do? I haven 't let them swim since yesterday - gonna go try that. I have them in the bathroom with door shut and have a space (electric heater going) at 85 degrees
Just trying to give as many details as possible...
Any advice is appreciated!!! I'm already very attached to them.
I've also noticed their poop has been really wet and like waterery on the edges..but now (this evening) it's more solid and with a little white - kinda like chicken poop. Maybe what I was feeding wasn't doing the job and caused the leg probs but now I'm getting on the right track but hasn't had time to work yet??? I have them in my garden tub and I clean it frequently. I did notice them eating some of their poop before - but not much. I got a cage for them today so I can lift it up. I changed their water back to a small bowl (about 1.5 inches water level) thinking maybe the galvanized was a problem.
OK, I just edited this: I just checked on them and they are now kind of panting...breathing heavy and fast with opening beaks...OMG I don't know what to do? I haven 't let them swim since yesterday - gonna go try that. I have them in the bathroom with door shut and have a space (electric heater going) at 85 degrees
Just trying to give as many details as possible...
Any advice is appreciated!!! I'm already very attached to them.
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