Muscovy Runt Left Behind, please help?

[Deku]

She may be shaking her head if the mush is hard to get down. You should try to supplement grit somehow... Anyone have suggestions for items around the house??

Again, I got my grit at Tractor Supply, but it’s a lot to get if you don’t plan on keeping her.

I’ll attach a recipe for what I gave my ducklings when I ran out of duck food and the store was closed:

View attachment 1178506

P.S. just use grass, not spinach.

Thank you so much!!! I had everything listed and she actually started eating!! yaaay

 

[CarleeAnn]

Thank you so much!!! I had everything listed and she actually started eating!! yaaay
View attachment 1178549

Super cute! I’m glad it worked out.

 

[Duckworth]

Okay, I hate to bring this up, but medicated feeds that contain amprolium are *not* toxic to ducklings. This is an old wives tale. Did you know that Purina actually make a medicated "Flock Raiser"?

Anyway, if anyone tries to tell you different, just ask them for proof, and I'd be willing to bet money that no one can provide one case of a duckling dying from amprolium or eating medicated feed.

If any of you are interested, I have info from Metzer Farms, Purina, and Story's Guide to Raising Raising Ducks by Dave Holleread, and all say it's safe.

Thank you for this, Casportpony. All of us just want to do right for our flocks and warnings not to do something just seem at the least like erring on the side of caution when I don't have information to the contrary. Those things sometimes have the unintended consequence of leading newbies like me to choose other things that aren't the best for our flocks because we are trying to avoid doing the first "wrong" thing. There is only one nonmedicated chick/duck starter sold in our local feed stores and so that is what I chose to feed my ducklings, relying on what I'd read and heard. I was afraid to choose a more economical feed. I'm glad to know that I have more options that can safely be fed to new ducklings.

 

[casportpony]

Thank you for this, Casportpony. All of us just want to do right for our flocks and warnings not to do something just seem at the least like erring on the side of caution when I don't have information to the contrary. Those things sometimes have the unintended consequence of leading newbies like me to choose other things that aren't the best for our flocks because we are trying to avoid doing the first "wrong" thing. There is only one nonmedicated chick/duck starter sold in our local feed stores and so that is what I chose to feed my ducklings, relying on what I'd read and heard. I was afraid to choose a more economical feed. I'm glad to know that I have more options that can safely be fed to new ducklings.

IMO, the most important thing is to find a feed that meets or exceeds the nutrional requirements of waterfowl, eg: niacin and the other various minerals and vitamins. If you have to choose between a medicated one that meets/exceeds the nutritional needs vs. one that is insufficient, choose the medicated.

 

[NDgoatgirlNV]

Okay, I hate to bring this up, but medicated feeds that contain amprolium are *not* toxic to ducklings. This is an old wives tale. Did you know that Purina actually make a medicated "Flock Raiser"?

Anyway, if anyone tries to tell you different, just ask them for proof, and I'd be willing to bet money that no one can provide one case of a duckling dying from amprolium or eating medicated feed.

If any of you are interested, I have info from Metzer Farms, Purina, and Story's Guide to Raising Raising Ducks by Dave Holleread, and all say it's safe.

I understand that many view it as an "Old wives tale" and many have used the newer medicated chick starter feeds for their ducklings successfully... However I am speaking from experience...
I recently hatched out 10 Indian Runner ducklings and only had the medicated chick starter and so instead of believing the Old wives tales and sticking to my guns on how I normally feed my ducklings, I decided to go ahead and give them the medicated feed... I lost over half of them... the survivors I switched over to a non medicated feed and they slowly recovered...
Do I have Absolute PROOF that the medicated chick feed killed my ducklings, No, I do not... but I would rather be safe than sorry and I refuse to let my next batch of ducklings be a science experiment seeing as how I have always used non medicated starter feed/flock raiser starter and the only time I have had losses like this were from when I used a "medicated" feed...
I won't comment anymore, because this thread is about saving and or finding a rescue for this little baby Muscovy... and I refuse to hijack this wonderful womans thread... Just letting her know what worked for me...

 

[casportpony]

I understand that many view it as an "Old wives tale" and many have used the newer medicated chick starter feeds for their ducklings successfully... However I am speaking from experience...
I recently hatched out 10 Indian Runner ducklings and only had the medicated chick starter and so instead of believing the Old wives tales and sticking to my guns on how I normally feed my ducklings, I decided to go ahead and give them the medicated feed... I lost over half of them... the survivors I switched over to a non medicated feed and they slowly recovered...
Do I have Absolute PROOF that the medicated chick feed killed my ducklings, No, I do not... but I would rather be safe than sorry and I refuse to let my next batch of ducklings be a science experiment seeing as how I have always used non medicated starter feed/flock raiser starter and the only time I have had losses like this were from when I used a "medicated" feed...
I won't comment anymore, because this thread is about saving and or finding a rescue for this little baby Muscovy... and I refuse to hijack this wonderful womans thread... Just letting her know what worked for me...

Sorry for your losses, but the "medicated feed" door was opened, so I feel I must comment again. @Deku, sorry.

I have raised many *hundreds* of Muscovy ducklings on medicated feed and have not lost any, and a friend of mine has raised even more runners, Pekins, Rouens, and Calls without any losses. I have also scoured the internet and the UC Davis necropsy archives for proof that any of these medications are toxic.

 

[Deku]

I appreciate all of your insight with different foods and stories. Everything is helpful while trying to learn about these new little babies, and I'll be taking everything said from everyone into consideration while feeding this little baby.

 

[Deku]

Day 4, the baby is really squaky and finlly running around on her own! Finally her legs are strong enough to let her waddle quickly across the floor. She seems to be having a blast.

But i noticed that shes having some pooping issues. While she is pooping regularly, it seems like she has extra poop still stuck inside and wont release from her.

I tried wiping her with pet wet wipes, have her swim in some warm water, and rub her off with a towel, but it doesnt seem to be working? Is this.something that happens? It seems to me like shes trying to reach back with her bill and clean it out of herself. Im unsure whats the usual behavior here.

 

[chickens really]

Get it The proper feed.....

 

[casportpony]

Day 4, the baby is really squaky and finlly running around on her own! Finally her legs are strong enough to let her waddle quickly across the floor. She seems to be having a blast.

But i noticed that shes having some pooping issues. While she is pooping regularly, it seems like she has extra poop still stuck inside and wont release from her.

I tried wiping her with pet wet wipes, have her swim in some warm water, and rub her off with a towel, but it doesnt seem to be working? Is this.something that happens? It seems to me like shes trying to reach back with her bill and clean it out of herself. Im unsure whats the usual behavior here.

Can you take a video of her doing this? If the majority of her poops look pretty normal I don't think I'd worry too much as long as she keeps eating, drinking, running around, etc.