How to spot a dehydrated duckling?

[LoganR88]

Hi, I just got two ducklings--one died shortly after arrival and the other one seemed to be doing really well until now. He was chasing the warming chicks around a lot and eating and drinking a fair amount and I took him out and he followed me around for awhile. When I put him back he seemed to crash--eyes closed, he keeps stretching his legs and rolling his neck around and basically nodding off, even appearing to sleep with his head hanging limp by his side. He does wake up quickly at any noise though, and continues to chirp away softly through the whole process.

Is he badly dehydrated and therefore listless or could he just be sleepy from the journey and play? I just would hate for both ducklings to die on the day of arrival especially!

Thank you very much!

 

[duckyfromoz]

The little one sounds dehydrated- often they do not open their eyes due to moisture loss- the eyelids will stop working proprely. They need to rest after being shipped too...Having him out of a brooder following you around was just too much for the little one who has just hatched then been stuck in a box and jostled around. They really do need at leaqst a day or two to really perk up enough to have gained enough strength to go running around after you.

 

[AdamD77]

Hi, sorry to hear one died

I would agree that he may be dehydrated, but could that be due to it being just be too hot in general?

It's been really hot the past week or so where I am and mine are in quite a hot room in the house. When it's really hot during the day they sometimes pant, stretch out their legs and neck and close their eyes, so I usually let them have a bath to cool down, although I'm not sure if that would be a bad idea with yours because it's already so tired, but it may help cool it down and rehydrate that little fluffy body.

As long as the water is very shallow (not deep enough for it to swim in but enough to splash a little bit), not freezing cold and you stay with it the whole time and only leave it in there for a few minutes and then let it dry off completely then that might be an idea...?