Muscovy Runt Left Behind, please help?

[chickens really]

I raise Muscovies, *many* of them, and I have brooder and broody raised them. Brooder raised ones fed medicated only feed actually gain weight and grow *much* faster (~2 times as fast) than broody raised. Muscovies are quite hardy compared to what I call "quackers" (Mallard derived breeds). Broody raised Muscovies can thrive with very little "duck/chick feed".

The OP has a limited budget, and I respect that. Ideally the OP would go to a feed store and buy a bag of food for duckling or chicks, and a niacin supplement, but that's not an option for many people. The duckling seems to be doing quite well eating the home brew, and it might benefit from having some dry cat food added, which will bump up the protein a little.

You asked "what gives?" Well that's my answer.

That's all good....I agree with the OP...Just then don't step on toes that offer other ways of feeding...Yes, I absolutely understand people who can't afford proper feed, housing etc...Why I rescue Animals in the first place...

 

[casportpony]

do ducklings get pasty butt like chicks?
she is a sweet little thing.. i sure hope someone near you can take her in.. but you ARE doing a fabulous job fostering..

That's a great question, and I have not seen a duckling with pasty butt in all the years I have raised them, but definitely worth checking into @Deku

@Deku, inspect the vent (anus) for build up of feces. If you find any, wet with warm cloth and remove. A plugged vent can kill.

 

[chickens really]

Vaseline on a sore plugged bum and washed with warm water...

 

[Ravynscroft]

do ducklings get pasty butt like chicks?
she is a sweet little thing.. i sure hope someone near you can take her in.. but you ARE doing a fabulous job fostering..

It *can* happen, but is rarer for ducklings to get pasty butt than chicks... definitely should be checked though, it is also harder to see on a duckling than a chick...

 

[chickens really]

It *can* happen, but is rarer for ducklings to get pasty butt than chicks... definitely should be checked though, it is also harder to see on a duckling than a chick...

Not really if it's poops seam too solid ?....Only seen it once with a rescue Duckling and she survived...I feed wet soupy feed and access to lots of water to drink...

 

[casportpony]

I haven't touched or picket at it, no worries! I let her swim through warm water and run across some dry towels. while cleaning herself. She pooped a few times since then and what was clogged is now gone and shes back to normal it seems.

Excellent! I can tell you from personal experience that picking at the umbilicus is a very bad thing. I won't go into details, but trust me, it was bad! Pooping, eating, swimming, and preening are all signs that your duckling is doing okay.

 

[casportpony]

Hey, you got more pictures? We all love pictures!

 

[Deku]

Hey, you got more pictures? We all love pictures!

Of course!!!

Lil cute runtling says hello ^3^

 

[Deku]

I may have found a home for the little one! Is there any thing I should look out for while adopting the baby out, or should I just hand her over?

 

[Ravynscroft]

I may have found a home for the little one! Is there any thing I should look out for while adopting the baby out, or should I just hand her over?

Just make sure they know what they are getting into and as long as they are accepting of that and advice, I think it should be fine...