Mama Duck Attacked!!

[katharinad]

I want you to go to the feed store and get some electrolytes / vitamin powder for the duck. It's usually one for all bird breeds. Giving this the first week will make it really strong. After that once per week for the first 4 weeks. Your duckling will most like not eat for the next 24 hours, so no big rush. Offer it some water in 12 hours. You should put the duck feed into the blender for the first couple of days to make the pieces smaller. Mix the feed with water for the first 2 day to make it a soup.
Katharina

 

[chickboss]

YYYYYAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So Happy For You!!!!!!!

 

[kidcallous]

Goosebumps at work!! Now you just gotta check for more pips!!

 

[chikky]

YAY! Congratulations!

 

[MamacatPatch]

Quote:
Wouldn't meatbird feed blended and made into mash be ok? Or do I need chick starter? We used chick starter with the ducks we got earlier this year. Of course, they were about two weeks old when we bought em. The feed store is 30 minutes away so I'm not sure when I can get to it! I don't even know if they HAVE the vitamin powder for ducks!

Thanks for holding my hand through this! Never been a mama duck before ... at least not to newborns!!!

 

[WingingIt]

Yay!!!!

 

[L0rraine]

RE: feed - I know that they should probably have it right away, but I swear every time I have it at hatch time lose the hatch. I psychologically feel jinxed by being too prepared. I'm thinking the duckling won't be eating or drinking for 24 hours and mine have survived on Flock Raiser for a day until I get to the feed store, but you really do want to give this little guy (and hopefully siblings) a good start, so hopefully you've got a little time to get vitamins and chick starter.

Anyway, it made me teary eyed to see that little one out of the shell after what you've been through.

 

[katharinad]

What is the protein percentage of the feed? You can use 20% for the first 2 weeks, but you really should be around 16%. The higher the protein the more likely they will get joint and wing problems, since it makes the duck grow too fast. It also should be unmedicated. Does it list niacin one the label? Very important to have! The feed stores usually carry electrolytes/vitamin mixes. They are not made for duck, but one for all birds.

BTW the earlies you can move your duck to the brooder is 4 hours after hatch. 6-12 hours is normal. It needs to be dry. That is when you give water and a food mush to it. A small egg cup holder is fine size wise. That prevents the duck from walking all over it and trying to take a bath.

I would give the other eggs another 4 days in the incubator if they are completely dark. Otherwise a little bit longer.

Aren't you happy that you gave it a try? I know you were wondering, if you did the right thing after some eggs went bad.

Katharina

 

[MamacatPatch]

Lorraine, when I saw that lil duck I was screaming and laughing and crying all at once!!!

Kath: The Rural King Meatbird Crumbles brand says it's good for ducks, 0 to 4 weeks and on!!! It is vitamin fortified, crude protein 21%. We got plenty of that so it seems it'll work just fine.

The temp dropped down to like 95 for some reason so I pushed it back farther under the heat lamp. It should still stay about 100 or so right? Is it ok to remove his broken empty shell? Humidity still seems good. Hopefully I'll see more pips soon! Is it ok to keep him in the aquarium for a few more days until the rest will hatch IF they're gonna hatch? I was going to keep all the ducks in their anyhow for a week or so, change the heat lamp to a regular bulb and let that be the brooder.

 

[katharinad]

The duck can be up to 24 hours in the incubator, but it is better not. The high humidity is not so good for the duck once is it out of the egg. Get a large plastic tub and hang a 100 watt light bulb about 24 inches above it. The temp on the floor should read 90-95 degrees. You can take the shell out, but I would leave it in until you remove the baby. At that point I usually make them take on zip of water by putting their beak into water. That gets their digestive system started. Another reason for not leaving it in the incubator is that the duck will produce its first poo soon and then you are incubating germs big time. At this point take the thermometer out of the incubator and get your brooder set up with the right floor temp. You do not need a hot red heat lamp for ducks. Ducks prefer blue or white light, unlike chicken who like red.
Katharina