My ducklings are weak

[Steleona]

I am so sad for you and your loss. I can tell you, as I’ve lost ducks I raised, that it’s hard but their memory will be lifelong. Praying for your other babies and the sweet one you lost.

Thank you so much. It just dawned on me that i could wake up to them all dead. I really pray to god that they are surviving and thriving. When i checked on them all they all seemed to be in good shape. But i really dont know how ducks work.

 

[Raenh]

So long as you keep them warm, feed them, and make sure they have clean water and clean area to live in, they will be alright. The key is to keep them warm though, just because its warm to you (humans body temp is 98, I think) they dont have the ability to regulate their body temp yet... if they go for a swim, like someone else said only for a few minutes them you'll need to completely towel dry them and put need a heat source - I had a heating pad wrapped in a blanket for them to sit on, and if they got to hot they could move off it... I kept it high enough that I could feel it through the blankets as comfortable heat on a winter day, but not burning hot to cook em.

 

[Duckworth]

Thank you so much. It just dawned on me that i could wake up to them all dead. I really pray to god that they are surviving and thriving. When i checked on them all they all seemed to be in good shape. But i really dont know how ducks work.

All of us had to learn. None of us were born knowing how to rear ducklings. Just because they are ducks doesn’t mean that they HAVE to have swimming water. They will do just fine without swimming until they are older, stronger, and more able to regulate their body temperature. So don’t feel like you are a bad duck keeper if you elect to wait to give them swimming time. Of course they love water—they’re ducks! But they won’t suffer because you chose to wait another week or two or even longer. It’s up to you and won’t be a bad choice either way.

 

[Miss Lydia]

How are they this morning @Steleona

 

[Steleona]

How are they this morning @Steleona

They are great. Up and walking and talking. Im so happy they pulled through

 

[Raenh]

And one other thing, they have to have water to eat - with a bowl deep enough to wash their mares out, but not deep enough to drown in. @Miss Lydia uses plastic butter bowls with holes cut into the lid (I think), so they can stick their bills in up to their nares and rinse them but not get into the water and make a bigger mess.

I only had at most 2 ducklings at a time, so I could get away with uncovered shallow bowls - I just put a sm/med dog kennel tray under their food and water and any mess stays there.

 

[Steleona]

And one other thing, they have to have water to eat - with a bowl deep enough to wash their mares out, but not deep enough to drown in. @Miss Lydia uses plastic butter bowls with holes cut into the lid (I think), so they can stick their bills in up to their nares and rinse them but not get into the water and make a bigger mess.

I only had at most 2 ducklings at a time, so I could get away with uncovered shallow bowls - I just put a sm/med dog kennel tray under their food and water and any mess stays there.

I use a dog waterer so its big enough for them to drink but not swim in it

 

[CLovesDucks]

@Steleona I’m glad the others made it! There are tons of amazing, knowledgeable people on here to help. I know you can do it!

Curious what food you have them on? I can’t say enough good things about Manna Duckling Starter/Grower. Ducks have different nutritional needs than chickens and need higher levels of niacin and no antibiotics in their feed. Hope you have a great evening and I’m thinking of you and your little babies!