New Duck Momma from Florida

[Silverladyrae]

Hi All, here's my intro, I'm new to ducklings and I need some help so I found this place. I'll post a thread in that section in a bit...

Just moved to Central Florida, never been interested in poultry but being a sucker for any animal that needs help, I have added 3 Pekin ducklings to my 2 dogs and 2 cats family. I ran by the feed store and they had 2 day old ducklings and one was all by himself and sickly, unable to balance or walk with a floppy neck. I knew he wouldn't make it on his own, so I took him, and 2 others home (for company). We are a week into this and having never dealt with birds at all I came here!

I am not interested in raising these guys for any purpose other than to keep them off someone's plate, they will be kept animals in a safe pond with no dogs to terrorize them and as safe as they can be from wildlife. I know many folks raise these guys to produce, but that's not my thing. Just wanted to save a lil guy who wouldn't have made it otherwise. And I may be in over my head!! I was told they grew fast, but heavens!! They've quite literally doubled in size in a week!

If anyone has any input or advice you can give on Pekins, I'd be happy to hear it. Currently they are in a spare bedroom, and will not be going outside other than to play in the sun until I release them to their permanent home. I now know they are pooping machines, and meeeeesssssssy lil eaters and drinkers! Housing, feeding, swimming, and any other info is much appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Welcome to BYC!!

Glad you joined us!!

 

[drumstick diva]

Thank you for rescuing the duckling, sounds like he is doing okay now. You could go to the forum for ducks and post there - someone will be in the know about ducks. I'm sorry I don't but, think they are adorable.

 

[Silverladyrae]

Thanks for the welcome y'all!

Sadly, while he is slightly improved, my weakling isn't doing as great as I want, I just finished posting for help in the duck section. I keep seeing that other ducks develop similar issues, but not what ends up happening in the long run. :-( Hopefully someone can help out. I've already been plundering the forum these last several days and it's been awesome. Everyone seems very friendly and helpful!

 

[drumstick diva]

I wonder if you could give him a couple drops of Polyvisol pediatric vitamints (NO Iron) - twice a day. people with weak chickens give it to them and it usually helps, I would think it is okay for Ducks.

Walmart and other such stores usually carry it in the baby department it's OTC, or you could ask the pharmacist if you can't find it. Is he taking any fluids? He might be dehydrating.

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas, Silverladyrae, and

! Great to have you with us! Good luck to you and your ducks!

 

[Kevin565]

.
1. Is the one that has trouble walking a crested duck?

2. I feed all of my ducklings Flock Raiser. They need much more niacin than chicks do so you will need to supplement that. It can be found at most health stores and even Walmart. Just regular Niacin not the "No Flush" or Time release kind.

3. Never leave ducklings alone swimming. They can get waterlogged or chilled quickly.

4. If you want them to be safe then they need a secure coop and run. Ponds are nice to let them play in but they are also a great place for predators to get them especially at night.

 

[Silverladyrae]

I wonder if you could give him a couple drops of Polyvisol pediatric vitamints (NO Iron) - twice a day. people with weak chickens give it to them and it usually helps, I would think it is okay for Ducks.

Walmart and other such stores usually carry it in the baby department it's OTC, or you could ask the pharmacist if you can't find it. Is he taking any fluids? He might be dehydrating.

He has been on Poly Vi Sol no iron since last Tuesday, there's been some slight improvement but he's still not mobile. I am hand feeding and watering him about every 2 hours except late at night, to ensure he is getting food and water, I hold him up to get water himself and to play in it, but I am also watering him from a dropper to make sure he is intaking it as sometimes he pretends to get his head in the water but doesn't actually touch it. He is showing increases in energy, but not much growth, especially compared to the other 2 which also worries me.

.
1. Is the one that has trouble walking a crested duck?

2. I feed all of my ducklings Flock Raiser. They need much more niacin than chicks do so you will need to supplement that. It can be found at most health stores and even Walmart. Just regular Niacin not the "No Flush" or Time release kind.

3. Never leave ducklings alone swimming. They can get waterlogged or chilled quickly.

4. If you want them to be safe then they need a secure coop and run. Ponds are nice to let them play in but they are also a great place for predators to get them especially at night.

Thank you!

1) Yes, if what I understand from other posts, he is a crested. He is the one in my avatar pic and I will post another pic below. I was 100% ignorant of all things duck when I brought them home and am currently trying to learn like mad, so I was unaware of the issues with the cresteds, however I'd still have snagged this lil guy. The other crested in my bunch seems 100% healthy and hearty.

2) I've got them on Niacin, but the only kind I could find was time release, so I break open the capsules and crush them into powder to dissolve. Do you think this is a big issue?

3) I just started them in the tub yesterday, never unattended, as Huey would drown, and the other 2 think its great fun, then they all get dried off almost completely and watched to make sure they dry with a brooding lamp.

4) I am not certain if their permanent home has a secure run, although I am aware that the owner already has several ducks, but I will definitely check it out.

Thank you!

 

[Silverladyrae]

Here's a pic of all 3:

Huey is the silly looking one, his eyes are fine.

Dewey is the other crested, and Louie is the stink eye giver.