how old are the ducklings that are being possibly affected by shavings?
HELP! Found duckling dead:(
- Thread starter GreeneAcresFarm
- Start date
- Apr 22, 2011
- 194
- 4
- 101
Im new here, but I have been reading anywhere from 1w-1.5m. There have been alot of ducky deaths in the past week I have been here, and that seems to be the only thing relating them all. Its so sad :-(
okay, i just switched my 3 week olds to shavings in the last couple days so maybe i'll stop, take a deep breath and NOT panic. i was using the rolls of rubber shelfliner for their brooder.. stuff is GREAT since i just roll it up, take it outside ,shake off the droppings and toss it in the washer... except it's USELESS for over a couple weeks of age due to the mess the ducklings make ...
I just got rid of all the pine shavings I put in there and put in fresh straw. Hopefully since my ducklings were only on shavings for one day, they won't be effected.
I would be heartbroken if one of them died because I put the wrong bedding in the brooder!!!
I would be heartbroken if one of them died because I put the wrong bedding in the brooder!!!
I use paper towels the first two weeks and then shavings after that. I end up changing bedding 2 times a day with the paper towels and at least daily with shavings- messy birds!
Shallow dish for water, change bedding often. Everyone needs to take a deep breath. (I know it is hard the first time brooding- that was me last year) What is the feed like? I like to mash up the feed with water and make a mush the first few weeks. Hmmm (trying to figure out what other hints that I have gained), I give mine splash time but make sure they are dry before leaving them on their own. Mine get lots of kid holding time.
So sorry you are going through a death.
Shallow dish for water, change bedding often. Everyone needs to take a deep breath. (I know it is hard the first time brooding- that was me last year) What is the feed like? I like to mash up the feed with water and make a mush the first few weeks. Hmmm (trying to figure out what other hints that I have gained), I give mine splash time but make sure they are dry before leaving them on their own. Mine get lots of kid holding time.
So sorry you are going through a death.
Pine shaving can be very safe, I have used them for hundreds of ducklings over many years and never encountered problems. YES they do nibble on them and will sometimes swallow small particles- but unless they have no other food for extended periods- ie 12 hours or more they are unlikely to eat enough to cause death.
I have mine on a towel for the first 2 - 3 days to get them established- to learn the food and water container. Each evening when they have their swim I change the bedding- and yes when returning to the brooder they will inquisitively nibble on and hunt through the shavings. It is normal duckling behavior.
Some brands of puppy pads can contain chemicals- newspaper too has the ink and chemicals to be wary of - towels reused can still have traces of mold or bacteria if not washed correctly. All bedding types can have pros and cons. Shavings are safe for use - Ducklings brooded outside with a mother duck may be ingesting far worse things that you may never know about.
I have mine on a towel for the first 2 - 3 days to get them established- to learn the food and water container. Each evening when they have their swim I change the bedding- and yes when returning to the brooder they will inquisitively nibble on and hunt through the shavings. It is normal duckling behavior.
Some brands of puppy pads can contain chemicals- newspaper too has the ink and chemicals to be wary of - towels reused can still have traces of mold or bacteria if not washed correctly. All bedding types can have pros and cons. Shavings are safe for use - Ducklings brooded outside with a mother duck may be ingesting far worse things that you may never know about.
- Apr 29, 2011
- 21
- 0
- 22
I'm new and I don't have much experience with ducks at all but I do have a good bit of experience with reptiles and small mammals. I can't say for certain if pine shavings affect birds the same way, but the aromatic hydrocarbons found in pine (and cedar) shavings can cause respiratory failure and liver damage in reptiles and small mammals. I'd suggest checking with a vet who specializes in birds to get an "all clear" before using soft wood shavings for bedding. Additionally, you should probably steer clear of any sort of corn cob beddings. Aflatoxin mold (highly toxic) can grow on it if it gets wet.
- Thread starter
- #20
- Mar 8, 2011
- 41
- 0
- 32
Thanks for all the input. I have not seen them eating the pine shavings but I know I can not watch them all the time. I researched the bedding before we got them and saw that there are several opinions. I do not think it is the pine shavings but I may switch them in the morning as we do not want to lose anymore. The one that died was laying beside the water container. Could he have drown? It is a store bought gallon waterer with the tray on the bottom. Thanks again.
PS Two appear to be doing well and the one still doesn't stand up?
PS Two appear to be doing well and the one still doesn't stand up?
Similar threads
New posts New threads Active threads
-
Threads with more replies in the last 15 days
-
-
-
-
Two dead chicks in brooder pen
- Started by redinator
- Replies: 69
-
-
