It this normal?

[jenbell83]

Poor thing must be pooped after the hatch. I'm glad the others are doing so well. They are imprinting on you and it's the most wonderful, irresistible thing, when they adore you so much and they want to cuddle with you and follow you around like you are their Mom. Mine got so exited when they saw, I couldn't ignore them! lol So, watch out! Those little things are almost too loveable. 

i dont mind. i could hang out and play with them all day and it never get old. its so cool having a bond with an animal. but growing up my mom had a love bird that she treated like her 3rd child. so its normal to me. but i could only speak for myself..that its normal. but i remember it always being with her in her shirt hanging on. i prolly get my love of animals from watching her

 

[sumi]

I'm the same, I love my chickens and the ones I've hatched myself are very special to me. It's very easy to form a bond with ducklings, easier than with chickens, IMO. They really are the most irresistible creatures. Enjoy them!

 

[jenbell83]

i will. i deffinately going to keep 1 or 2. i have a farm that are going to take them. wish i could keep them all and watch them grow. but we rent and have a landlord to deal with. he doesnt even want us having a normal pet like a puppy. so he would prolly freak if i asked him how much the pet deposit is for a flock of ducks!. haha. although i would like to see his face. but im not stirring the pot. we have never had any issues yet.(knock on wood.

 

[jenbell83]

Are ducks better alone or with a pal? would one do better or 2 together?

 

[loveourbirds]

ducks do better with companions. i would recommend keeping 3, that way if you lose one - you will still have a pair.

 

[jenbell83]

Ok. thats a good idea. im having trouble pulling up info on where to find the sav a chic

 

[loveourbirds]

unless you are having trouble, you shouldnt need the save a chick. just add a little sugar to their water, and keep them warm. most feed stores will carry vitamins and electrolytes powder, its always handy to have around.

if you start seeing blood in their manure, give them 1 tablespoon of pure apple cider vinegar (raw is best, available at walmart) in a quart of water. do this for 1 day, then give them just a small amount of sour cream, YOGURT, or cottage cheese. you can mix it in their water at the same rate as the vinegar, but dont let it set under a heat lamp for to long. all they need is a good drink. -- what this is doing: the vinegar kills harmful bacteria in the digestive system, the dairy product is replacing the bacteria and is a natural probiotic.

if the chicks start acting really chilled, and start piling on top of each other - along with signs of bloody manure, then give CoRid for 3 days in the water. -- this is highly uncommon with ducks. ducks shouldn't have medicated starter, or any un-needed medication.

 

[sumi]

ducks do better with companions. i would recommend keeping 3, that way if you lose one - you will still have a pair.

X2

 

[jenbell83]

No. they dont seem to be in trouble. a few still have a hard black pea size thing stuck on the stomach. but other than that fine. im really just worried about the last 2 out of their shells. i put them with the others and they are eating and drinking but very shaky. they are still very weak. and the yellow one has a little blood where it looks like he cut his beak and a bruise. he looks beat up. but both are still very shaky. they were in their shells for awhile longer then the rest.

 

[loveourbirds]

if their feet are good, they are probably fine - you will always have some that are weaker in a hatch. if the others keep running over them, sometimes its better to separate the weaker ones.