My ducklings are all dying.. HELP!

[annie222223]

I hatched 4 ducklings from an incubator. The first born had pasty butt when it was it's 10th day, along with the third born who had pasty butt as well. I fixed it by running their vents under warm water but later found that the first born was a bit uncoordinated and started stumbling backwards. It was eating, drinking and playing normally then randomly dropped dead. The third born began having the same issues later and dropped dead as well a day later. The second born began showing neck issues where it would move its head back and forth and arching it to the side although it tried to eat and drink normally. It was in pain and had occasionally shaking alongside its neck issues then it died a few days later. I am on my last duckling who hatched a bit later and today it is 10 days old. It started having the same neck issues and something weird I noticed was a scab (which I thought was dried food at first) grew on the side of it's face and down its neck and underneath it's beak. I thought it was food until it grew on the other side as well. I am very concerned, and I know it is in uncomfort as it still tries to eat and drink normally. I find it very odd that they all display symptoms when they turn 10 days old and are dying in chronological order. I am very sad about my ducklings and just want to know what the problem could be - an inherited disease perhaps? I can't find any information online - [please help!! My last duckling is definitely uncomfortable and I want to help if I can, I don't have the heart to put him out of his misery sooner. I have attached photos of his neck problems and the weird scabs.

 

[Stipenvlerk]

Hi Anni, welcome to BYC.
What an awefull reason to join. I’m going to call in some heavyweight duck people since the pictures got me worried and your already lost 3 out of 4 ducklings.

@Miss Lydia @casportpony @Isaac 0 are you able to help? Thank you for your time!

 

[Isaac 0]

Sorry to hear about your ducklings!

Newborns generally don't suffer from pasty butt straight away, that might happen a few days later on if the conditions they are being kept in arent optimal. Are you sure it wasn't their unabsorbed yolk sac, if so, and it were to be infected it could cause symptoms like this.

Could you post a clear picture of their abdomen/navel area?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Also better pictures of what your seeing along the ducklings neck. Pictures are to blurry to see what your talking about. What are you feeding and are you adding any supplements?

 

[annie222223]

Also better pictures of what your seeing along the ducklings neck. Pictures are to blurry to see what your talking about. What are you feeding and are you adding any supplements?

Feeding them a homemade mix of oatmeal, corn meal, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, lentils, and flax seeds (20% protein) + I sprinkle brewers yeast on top of it (along with some in the mix as well!)

 

[annie222223]

Sorry to hear about your ducklings!

Newborns generally don't suffer from pasty butt straight away, that might happen a few days later on if the conditions they are being kept in arent optimal. Are you sure it wasn't their unabsorbed yolk sac, if so, and it were to be infected it could cause symptoms like this.

Could you post a clear picture of their abdomen/navel area?

My last duckling doesn’t have any issues in that area, just the neck problems!

 

[Duckpooper]

It seems like they all had a vitamin deficiency. If you're feeding him chick starter, then he's most likely not getting enough niacin/nutrients, but it could also be inherited from the parents, but only if they weren't getting enough nutrients. What I did for my ducklings when I was feeding them chick starter was I got vitamin b complete supplements(for humans) and crushed 1 pill in a glass of water. I then let it sit for 10 minutes and gave it to them. And I think he might have wry neck(causes the head to be wobbly and hard to lift it up) , which can be caused by a nutrient deficiency(vitamin e), or a head injury. Some things you could give him that have vitamin e are oregeno, basil, and thyme. If he is unable to hold his head up to eat or drink,you could try hand feeding him and lightly dipping his bill into water, but don't use a dropper since it could go down his lungs. It should take from a few days to a few weeks for it to go away. And sorry for this weird question(but important), what position did the ducklings die in? I know how heartbreaking it is to lose a baby duck, so I hope he gets better soon feel free to ask more questions

 

[annie222223]

It seems like they all had a vitamin deficiency. If you're feeding him chick starter, then he's most likely not getting enough niacin/nutrients, but it could also be inherited from the parents, but only if they weren't getting enough nutrients. What I did for my ducklings when I was feeding them chick starter was I got vitamin b complete supplements(for humans) and crushed 1 pill in a glass of water. I then let it sit for 10 minutes and gave it to them. And I think he might have wry neck(causes the head to be wobbly and hard to lift it up) , which can be caused by a nutrient deficiency(vitamin e), or a head injury. Some things you could give him that have vitamin e are oregeno, basil, and thyme. If he is unable to hold his head up to eat or drink,you could try hand feeding him and lightly dipping his bill into water, but don't use a dropper since it could go down his lungs. It should take from a few days to a few weeks for it to go away. And sorry for this weird question(but important), what position did the ducklings die in? I know how heartbreaking it is to lose a baby duck, so I hope he gets better soon❤ feel free to ask more questions

Thank you! I’ve been feeding him a homemade mix of grains and seeds (20% protein) + brewers yeast and sprinkled on top. Two of the ducklings died on their back with their legs straight up which was heartbreaking (these were the ones that did not have neck issues but were uncoordinated), and the other died on it’s stomach after a few days of discomfort with his neck and occasionally shaking. The last duckling is still alive, I don’t think he is in any pain but his neck is permanently like moving from side to side arched weirdly and it’s a bit hard for him to walk, eat, and drink. He is still eating and drinking though.

 

[Duckpooper]

I think, but not 100% sure, that they might have had Riemerella anatipestifer Infection. It could cause ducklings to be on their back with their legs paddling in the air before they die. It also causes incordination and having a wobbly neck. it could also explain why he has a scab looking thing spreading around his neck. To get rid of it, he has to take antibiotics. If a vet is an option, it would probably be best to take him in, but if not you could probably give him antibiotics.
Here's a website about the infection so that you could see if the symptoms add up:
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poul...riemerella-anatipestifer-infection-in-poultry

 

[annie222223]

I think, but not 100% sure, that they might have had Riemerella anatipestifer Infection. It could cause ducklings to be on their back with their legs paddling in the air before they die. It also causes incordination and having a wobbly neck. it could also explain why he has a scab looking thing spreading around his neck. To get rid of it, he has to take antibiotics. If a vet is an option, it would probably be best to take him in, but if not you could probably give him antibiotics.
Here's a website about the infection so that you could see if the symptoms add up:
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poul...riemerella-anatipestifer-infection-in-poultry

Thank you! I cant get him to a vet right now but should I just give him any over the counter antibiotic? He’s only 12 days old and I think there may be a chance for him as he can still eat and drink and doesn’t seem to be in any pain, just discomfort.