Help help

[Mother Hen to 6]

I had 6 call ducklings and they have been fine.. today hubby brought them outside and put them in the pen with a little pool.. within 30 mins 4 are dead and 2 dying.. they are losing their balance kicking will stiffen out and die.. they are about 7 weeks old.. ehat is going on? I am heartbroken!

 

[newbie12]

They are cold!! Get them under a light immediatley!

 

[newbie12]

They arent fully feathered and they arent "waterproof" yet. They were not ready for being in the water that long. Im sorry that some of the died.. poor babies..

 

[Mother Hen to 6]

Its just a little pan like a hospital pan with warm water in it.. they are in the sun and its 80 out.. they will jump in then out they dont stay in the water long.. we keep adding warm water to it so it dosent get cold.. they have been doing this for 3 weeks.. I leave them out for about an hour then take thwm in under the lamps.. they have been fine until today

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

^ x2. Alot of people don't know that ducklings can drown or that the water will chill them and be a problem. Most just assume they'll take to it, well, like a duck to water! But, if they were being raised by a momma duck, she would actually rub her oils off onto them, which makes them waterproof. Since people aren't capable of doing that, they must be closely supervised and their swim time should be very limited.

Sorry you lost some, but don't beat yourself up about it. Just learn from your mistakes and move on.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

Oops, you posted before me.

Is it possible they've picked up cocci? There doesn't have to be blood in their stool for it to be present.

Also, what are you feeding them?

If they've had access to the water for that long, it probably isn't the issue. Especially since the water and outside temp is so warm...

 

[SpringPeeper]

Dry them off and get them warmer- dry 90 degrees is very very different from a wet 80 degrees!

 

[Mother Hen to 6]

They last 2 seem to be doing better... I just took them in they are walking now but still wobbly ... I got them under a lamp now so hopefully... I feel horrible I didnt know water would kill them im heart broken... if these 2 make it they will never be allowed in water again! I cant believe they just died that fast

 

[Noah]

I had 6 call ducklings and they have been fine.. today hubby brought them outside and put them in the pen with a little pool.. within 30 mins 4 are dead and 2 dying.. they are losing their balance kicking will stiffen out and die.. they are about 7 weeks old.. ehat is going on? I am heartbroken!

I am so very sorry.
I would be heartbroken too.