Muscovy question

[PAchickenlover]

I have what appears to be a young muscovy duckling. I have never had a muscovy before. It is just starting to grow its wings in. Is it too young yet to put in with my fully grown ducks? I ask because my son put it in with them a few days ago and now it is acting lethargic and weak. I have put the duckling in its own pen with food and water (it is eating). Is there anything else I should do for this poor duckling? Or is there something I should be looking for that could be wrong with it? Please help... My son would be devostated if anything happened to his duckling, especially if it was because he put it in with the big ones too soon..

 

[Miss Lydia]

I have what appears to be a young muscovy duckling. I have never had a muscovy before. It is just starting to grow its wings in. Is it too young yet to put in with my fully grown ducks? I ask because my son put it in with them a few days ago and now it is acting lethargic and weak. I have put the duckling in its own pen with food and water (it is eating). Is there anything else I should do for this poor duckling? Or is there something I should be looking for that could be wrong with it? Please help... My son would be devostated if anything happened to his duckling, especially if it was because he put it in with the big ones too soon..

Never put a duckling in with adults, way too young and they can be so mean. Usually around 4-6 weeks is good a time to start them in with adults but you do it gradually, they look at a new duck as a threat to their flock. Hopefully a few days of TLC with good food and maybe some poultry vitamins in its water will bring it around too, make sure it has a bowl deep enough to wash it face but not deep enough it could climb in and drown. course if you have other ducks you know all of this. They may have kept it away from food and water or even beat it up some, keep a close eye on it and if it doesn't start perking up in a few days you may want to bring it inside where you can really monitor how it's doing.

 

[Kevin565]

Was he given enough Niacin? X2 on Miss Lydia's post.

 

[PAchickenlover]

I put some extra vitamins on it food when I put it in its pen. Hoping that works...

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'd also have it where they can all see each other so the others don't continue to look at it as a threat. Then when it's strong and feeling good start letting it out with a few in the yard with Supervision so you or son can be there to stop any serious aggression from the adults there will probably be some bulling but don't let it get out of hand, treats will work with this so they are focused on the treat not the new duckling. Then do the others so all have had a chance to be together with treats being handed out, then you release them all together with lots of goodies going round, still duckling needs to be kept separate till old enough to hold it's own. Peas and also Meal worms work to keep ducks happy. And maybe niacin would be a good thing to add sure couldn't hurt.

 

[PAchickenlover]

Thanks evryone <3