Need help, Please

[Sue S]

My duck hatched 4 ducklings between yesterday & today, 3 are doing well but 1 hatched to early, it's belly button?? is exposed, I let it in the nest with her till about an hour ago, I went down to check on them & found red "fire" ants all threw the pen, the duckling that hatched early was covered in ants, so I brought him/her to the house got all the ants off & he/she is laying in a shoe box. The duckling is chirping softly & moving around a little, I tried giving it some water with Nutri-drench but it won't drink. Also, my 2nd problem is I let Olivia & the ducklings out of the pen to explore & so I could get rid of the ants, my male duck was attacking the ducklings & Olivia wasn't protecting them from him, why??? I thought she would protect them???

 

[Miss Lydia]

They won’t I don’t understand that either. How is the navel looking? They usually will go In on their own. Just keep it where it can’t drag himself and rupture it. Hope the fire ants didn’t hurt the little one!

 

[Sue S]

They won’t I don’t understand that either. How is the navel looking? They usually will go In on their own. Just keep it where it can’t drag himself and rupture it. Hope the fire ants didn’t hurt the little one!

The duckling wasn't harmed by the ants I think I got to the pen in time, It's sleeping in the shoe box, I have a small towel in it for it to lay on. I can't believe that she won't protect the ducklings, she hisses at me when I go near them. Any advice on how to keep my male from attacking them??? Here's a pic of the new ducklings!!!

 

[Duckworth]

You will have to keep your drake separated until the ducklings are older or he stops attacking them. Do you have the shoebox in a warm enough place?

 

[Sue S]

You will have to keep your drake separated until the ducklings are older or he stops attacking them. Do you have the shoebox in a warm enough place?

Yes, it's in the bedroom I didn't turn the AC on in there, so it's about 85 degrees. It's been very hot & humid here in Pa the last few days. I have been keeping Olivia separated from the others while the eggs where hatching & I guess I'll keep them separated at night & just keep a close eye on them during the day when my drake is out

 

[Miss Lydia]

A heat pad on lowest setting with a towel wrapped around it with duckling on top can work too. So glad you got the duckling in time. They sure are adorable. How’s the littles one yolk sac did it finish absorbing?

 

[Angelakmills]

My duck hatched 4 ducklings between yesterday & today, 3 are doing well but 1 hatched to early, it's belly button?? is exposed, I let it in the nest with her till about an hour ago, I went down to check on them & found red "fire" ants all threw the pen, the duckling that hatched early was covered in ants, so I brought him/her to the house got all the ants off & he/she is laying in a shoe box. The duckling is chirping softly & moving around a little, I tried giving it some water with Nutri-drench but it won't drink. Also, my 2nd problem is I let Olivia & the ducklings out of the pen to explore & so I could get rid of the ants, my male duck was attacking the ducklings & Olivia wasn't protecting them from him, why??? I thought she would protect them???

I had a ducking hatch with its belly exposed after advice from here I let it dry up and it has now completely healed he’s only 5 days old now, I would say it attracted ants as there is a flesh smell to it, The only thing u can do is keep it isolated till healed hope he/she is ok and good luck

 

[Sue S]

Hi everyone, Sorry for the delay in responding was busy over the holiday!!! All the ducklings are doing great, here's a couple pics of Peanut, Penelope, Piper & Piglet with Olivia exploring the outside!!!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

They look great. Mom looks to be doing a great job there. Congrats!!

 

[Sue S]

They look great. Mom looks to be doing a great job there. Congrats!!

Yes, she is taking good care of them except she is not doing a good job of protecting them from my drake, but I'm still keeping them separated & I'm trying to teach my drake to be nice to the ducklings!!! He doesn't bother them to much so I'm hoping soon they all will get along!!!