Help with baby ducks!

[suzy4027]

Can I ask a quick question since I saw you were online Miss Lydia? You have great advice! My 4.5 week old duckling has an enlarged crop. I know they don't really have a crop, I just don't know how to describe it other than maybe saying his chest? They just switched to purina flock raiser yesterday, but we've done way too many treats. Lots of greens, mealworms and some Cheerios. Stopped those completely. There aren't any scabs, but it seems huge to me! His legs have been an issue, so I didn't really focus on his front end, but I think between the two, it's really effecting the way he stands. I hung some greens from the top of their kennel to encourage him to stand straight. He can, he just chooses not to. He's happy and time plus niacin is helping his legs, he just has this big chest that never gets smaller and rounds his back when he stands. I'm working on a photo, I just need to get a screen shot from a video. Again, been more worried about his legs, so I have a bunch of him facing me. Sorry to be so redundant, redundant, redundant!

 

[suzy4027]

Here he is....

He gets around and swims well, just doesn't do either like he did the first 3 weeks. ???

 

[Miss Lydia]

Here he is....


He gets around and swims well, just doesn't do either like he did the first 3 weeks. ???

Do they get chick grit or mainly just get grit from being outside on the ground. I leave grit out year round probably don't need to but I do see mine eating it even when they can easily get it from the ground. Glad to hear his legs are getting better. It can take time so keep them on the niacin till 10 weeks.
As for his chest how does it feel is it hard feeling or squishy ? Could it just be the way he is shaped? I have seen other ducklings look like this so it may not be anything to worry about, Just the way this one is shaped and as he continues to fill out and grow may correct itself. I can't see the meal worms and greens hurting them as long as they are eating their feed along with it. I would leave off the cheerios for now just to make sure they are getting nutrients from their feed. How about over all is he eating good, pooping normal? running around acting like a happy duckling? This is a fast growing time for ducklings they are really out doing themselves as far as their bodies are changing they are beginning to grow in their feathers maybe try some poultry vitamins in their water 2-3 times a week till they are finished with feather growth. I like a product called Poultry Nutri Drench when mine are in molt they get it 3X a week in their water and I do give mine meal worms daily good protein there. But at the age yours are I would use the meal worms sparingly because the FR has quite a bit of protein so you don't want to up the protein too high so greens mainly along with their feed and then MW a couple times a week till around 10 weeks old. By them any problems associated with too much protein will have passed. I used FR with all my flock from hatch and never has any problems with angel wing. Over all do you feel your duckling is healthy other than the niacin dif and his chest?

 

[suzy4027]

Probably an important bit of info.... They've been on shavings since we got them. I didn't realize I needed to put towels down so they wouldn't eat shavings until we had them for a little over a week!

They mouth them quite a bit. Should I change to a different bedding at this point? That seems like an obvious question.....

 

[Miss Lydia]

Probably an important bit of info.... They've been on shavings since we got them. I didn't realize I needed to put towels down so they wouldn't eat shavings until we had them for a little over a week!

They mouth them quite a bit. Should I change to a different bedding at this point? That seems like an obvious question.....

at 4.5 weeks old they should know the difference in what is edible and not so I wouldn't think shaving would be a problem. Mouthing them and eating are 2 different things do you think he has eaten them? I'm sure all ducklings have eaten shavings but I doubt your duckling would still be alive if he had eaten enough to impact him. Do you keep feed and water down for them all the time?

 

[suzy4027]

This is their feeder. Everthing is offered 24/7. The grit is the smaller sized chick grit. His chest is squishy.

My neighbor has an adult female Muscovy, a Rouen cross drake, 2 pekin ducklings, a mallard duckling and a Rouen duckling. None of them look like this, and my female isn't even close to being built the same way! So of course, mind starts racing. Ive gots of small animal and equine experience and an animal science degree, but that was a while back and it always seems to fly out the window when it's YOUR kid! Plus, none of it applies! Lol.

He chugs on along just fine. His legs are the only thing that slows him down. They're splinted with vet wrap right now. They just started the flock raiser yesterday. Had previously done gamefowl starter then the Orschlens all flock with added Brewers yeast. Wish I'd looked at TSC a bit harder when I first switched them. Would've seen the FR. I have some Nutri-Drench just didn't realize I could put it in the water. Thought it would break down so I'd need to give it orally. Fun times there. They already think I'm a shady character because I've tried so many types of splints. I got some save a chick probiotics yesterday, hoping that would help digest whatever might be stuck, since they both grabbed some whole Cheerios the other day. (Promise, No more since then.) Would the 2 products in the same water break each other down? About 4 days ago I added a second waterer that's the size of a mason jar so they can dunk their head, so I can separate the products if needed. (You can see it in the first pic, right next to the grit. It's wedged in behind the main waterer.)

No longer worried about the shavings. Thank you!

Wasn't looking forward to towels. Ugh.

Since they are our first ducks and this is all over my head, I've been reading obsessively and becoming the crazy duck lady! I feel much better after hearing from you! If you say it's the way he's built, good enough for me.

 

[Miss Lydia]

This is their feeder. Everthing is offered 24/7. The grit is the smaller sized chick grit. His chest is squishy.

My neighbor has an adult female Muscovy, a Rouen cross drake, 2 pekin ducklings, a mallard duckling and a Rouen duckling. None of them look like this, and my female isn't even close to being built the same way! So of course, mind starts racing. Ive gots of small animal and equine experience and an animal science degree, but that was a while back and it always seems to fly out the window when it's YOUR kid! Plus, none of it applies! Lol.

He chugs on along just fine. His legs are the only thing that slows him down. They're splinted with vet wrap right now. They just started the flock raiser yesterday. Had previously done gamefowl starter then the Orschlens all flock with added Brewers yeast. Wish I'd looked at TSC a bit harder when I first switched them. Would've seen the FR. I have some Nutri-Drench just didn't realize I could put it in the water. Thought it would break down so I'd need to give it orally. Fun times there. They already think I'm a shady character because I've tried so many types of splints. I got some save a chick probiotics yesterday, hoping that would help digest whatever might be stuck, since they both grabbed some whole Cheerios the other day. (Promise, No more since then.) Would the 2 products in the same water break each other down? About 4 days ago I added a second waterer that's the size of a mason jar so they can dunk their head, so I can separate the products if needed. (You can see it in the first pic, right next to the grit. It's wedged in behind the main waterer.)

No longer worried about the shavings. Thank you!

Wasn't looking forward to towels. Ugh.

Since they are our first ducks and this is all over my head, I've been reading obsessively and becoming the crazy duck lady! I feel much better after hearing from you! If you say it's the way he's built, good enough for me.

Try putting Nutri drench one day the save a chick couple days later switching off an on. probotics are good so if you want to stay with them then do that. main thing is the little extra boost while they are growing feathers and growing period. lol I'm thinking as he fills out we may see a change in body shape. Keep doing what your doing and lets see how he is in a couple weeks, as long as everything is normal other wise this could just be his normal.

Oh I truly understand how OCD we can get over our flock. I have had ducks 11 yrs now and still worry about the least thing that doesn't seem normal. most of the time it's nothing , but as good care takers of our ducks etc we have to be observant. They hide things from us so easily . Keep us updated on how it's going and keep the pics coming. Hopefully very soon his legs will be 100% good to go also!

 

[suzy4027]

I can't tell you how relieved, appreciative and almost fan-girl I feel when you say, "LET'S see, WE may find, send US pics...!!!!" Oh my gosh. That you take such an interest in my little feed store duckies that I'm hovering over, makes my mouth hang open!! I'm 46 this May. I should be past the stage of squealing! Lol. But seriously, it's comforting to know I have somebody who knows their stuff that's willing to invest time with us. This is such an amazing life saver of a site for so many of us! I'll do the vitamins for a few days since the FR has probiotics in it already and update in a few days! Thank you again!! My hubby and kids DEFF thank you. Lol

 

[Miss Lydia]

Always remember I am not a vet so I could be wrong but from all you are saying doesn't sound like anything that needs to be a big concern as long as he is duckling normal. He may not process nutrients as well as your other duck which could probably explain his leg issues and the other one not having them usually does. By 12 weeks he will look like an adult with feathers and full body size lets see how he is doing then. Hopefully he'll be 100%. Your giving them great feed and good care.

I love all animals and water fowl have a very special place in my heart doesn't matter if they are hatchery or saved from the river. They all deserve a good life. And sounds like yours are loved very much. I like to see that and will try my best to be supportive and give info if I can. Look forward to seeing pics and hearing about them.

 

[suzy4027]

have a good one!