Good Afternoon, I would like to ask for any expertise advice on my duckling situation, I live in Miami, Florida in a small community area, I've had over 4 Muscovy mothers give birth to a total 20 eggs per mother. Every day I find a duckling on it's back, I pick them up to try to keep warm they have the following symptoms: Can't walk automatically flip over, starts to move the head in a circular motion, followed by a long stretch and then they pass away. I have a plenty of water for them throughout the day and give them food in the morning and afternoon. (layer crumbles duckling food) We lost almost 20 ducklings in less than two weeks, any guidance will be greatly appreciated. I don't own the ducks, they just pass by my house and I usually feed them and provide them with plenty of water Thank you and Happy Holidays
Welcome to BYC very sad when something like this happens. i am not sure what might be going on but i found a list of diseases that can spread through ducklings pretty fast, here is the link http://www.offthegridnews.com/2012/06/13/10-common-illness-foundin-ducklings/ Could be Duck Virus Hepatitis.
Make sure you are not feeding them medicated starter feed. It is lethal to ducklings. Also could some one be poisoning them since they are feral?
Afternoon all, Thank you for you feedbacks, I bought the food with no chemicals or medication. I was made aware by the food clerk to beware of substitute foods. I have cameras throught the outer area of the house and no one enters the premises. Then again the mothers do walk the neighborhood and maybe someone else could be feeding them. I try my best to contain them here till they get bigger but ducks like to wonder. Do you know any company that may be able to take them and raise them in a more farm enviroment?
Bless you for caring,so many don't. Look in your phone book or on line for farm rescues in your area. When someone dumped off a rooster at our church I found we had 2 farm rescues pretty close to us, of course both were full up with roosters so I ended up taking him home. But you may find someone there, also water fowl rescues we have one here in the western part of NC.
Thamk you Miss Lydia, I appreciate all your feedback... =) I will research tomorrow a near by location that can help Have a wonderful evening