I got three Cayugas Friday night, then on Saturday morning my neighbor noticed her Mallad duck mama waddling around with babies, she checked the nest and saw that she had left a reallllly little guy behind, and the sprinklers had soaked him. I thought for sure he was going to die, but decided since I had just gotten the other three the night before it was worth a shot. He seems to be doing okay, just a lot littler than the others and a bit weaker, though he is pretty active when he is active. Anyway, today I went in and two of the times I went in, he was on his back. The first time I thought he was dead, but when I spoke he started scambling trying to flip back over. The second time, just now, he didn't try to flip over, though I didn't make any noise this time. WHY is he flipping over, and if it happens in the middle of the night, will he die??
Do you have the little one in a brooder - or is it outside with the mother- I asssume you have it with your three but you dont say for sure in your post. If its in a brooder and flipps over away from the heat- then yes- it could die if it chills during the night. As for the cause- other than just general weakness from a difficult hatch it could be a sign of a vitamin deficiency. Thiamine deficiency can cause them to flip ove frequently. Can you get a hold of some multivitamins for poultry?? Giving him some concentrated doses of vitamins in the drinking water may help to get the little one back on track.
Had a 3 week old muscovy duckling start doing that last week. He got scared by the dog and ran head long into a 2x6 stud wall that seemed to knock him senseless--almost like he got a concussion. Several times after that, I'd find him on his back looking dead but he'd scramble around and get up after I talked to him. He finally died Friday--laying on his back.
