No One Told Me This About Baby Ducks

[OhHaiNollie]

So I got two Pekins. They were born on December 21st 2015. I'm freaking out right now because both ducks are quacking in the bath like a crying dog and my lighter one, Tua, has been panting but it's 70 degrees. I've also noticed Tua's stomach is a bit hard. I ordered two males but I'm starting to doubt that Tua is a male. Comparing the two, Tua is louder

 

[DiamondSwan]

So I got two Pekins. They were born on December 21st 2015. I'm freaking out right now because both ducks are quacking in the bath like a crying dog and my lighter one, Tua, has been panting but it's 70 degrees. I've also noticed Tua's stomach is a bit hard. I ordered two males but I'm starting to doubt that Tua is a male. Comparing the two, Tua is louder

My 2 little Pekins pant too when the lamp is on, it's already 85 degrees in the bathroom because I have the chicks in there as well with their 250 watt heat lamp. I just turned the ducks' lamp off, they're comfortable with the room temperature. Mine are a week old, and I'm pretty sure I have a boy and a girl. The boy is bigger with a long neck and bill that's twice the size of the girl's. I could tell when they were only a day old. This is what I read to figure out their gender: http://www.ehow.com/how_8424128_tell-sex-pekin-duck.html

 

[Betsy57]

Just got my first batch of baby ducks! They're messy but precious!

 

[Betsy57]

Ducks 2 weeks old. Duck Mosh Pit!

The three Black Cayuga seem to be not as strong as the others. Their legs are weaker/bowed and don't eat as much as the others. I've had them separated trying to get them to eat more and grow but they're not very interested in the feed. They love eggs and peas but they need the vitamins in the feed.



Moved them out to their house/shed. They're digging having gatherings around the waterer. They go through a lot of water. I made this box and it sure helps with the mess. Will need to get a taller waterer to hold more water.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Ducks 2 weeks old. Duck Mosh Pit!

The three Black Cayuga seem to be not as strong as the others. Their legs are weaker/bowed and don't eat as much as the others. I've had them separated trying to get them to eat more and grow but they're not very interested in the feed. They love eggs and peas but they need the vitamins in the feed.



Moved them out to their house/shed. They're digging having gatherings around the waterer. They go through a lot of water. I made this box and it sure helps with the mess. Will need to get a taller waterer to hold more water.

@Betsy57 have you been giving your ducklings Brewers yeast or plain niacin? if you have ducklings with bowed and or weak legs niacin deficiency is probably the culprit. I'd go with Brewers yeast easier to find than plain niacin add 1 tab to 1 cup of feed.Make sure it's food grade brewers yeast not for making wine etc. or baking yeast.

Usually only takes less than a week to see improvements

They are some cute ducklings. They also need a waterer they can dunk their heads into to clean out their nares and eyes. I'll get you a pic of an easy one. Pic of easy to make water on this link https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/750869/raising-and-caring-for-ducklings#post_10611711

 

[Betsy57]

@Betsy57 have you been giving your ducklings Brewers yeast or plain niacin? if you have ducklings with bowed and or weak legs niacin deficiency is probably the culprit. I'd go with Brewers yeast easier to find than plain niacin add 1 tab to 1 cup of feed.Make sure it's food grade brewers yeast not for making wine etc. or baking yeast.

Usually only takes less than a week to see improvements

They are some cute ducklings. They also need a waterer they can dunk their heads into to clean out their nares and eyes. I'll get you a pic of an easy one. Pic of easy to make water on this link https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/750869/raising-and-caring-for-ducklings#post_10611711

Yes I am giving them niacin. The others don't have a problem, it is just the Cayugas. Bad hatch I guess from supplier.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Yes I am giving them niacin. The others don't have a problem, it is just the Cayugas. Bad hatch I guess from supplier.

Sorry to hear that but get some Poultry Nutri Drench and start them on it too. Maybe just a boost of nutrients along with the Brewers yeast will help them. You might try moistening their feed to it may help them like it better. I start all my babies off on Fermented feed from hatch. Have you contacted the supplier too?

 

[Betsy57]

Sorry to hear that but get some Poultry Nutri Drench and start them on it too. Maybe just a boost of nutrients along with the Brewers yeast will help them. You might try moistening their feed to it may help them like it better. I start all my babies off on Fermented feed from hatch. Have you contacted the supplier too?

I am giving them 100 mg niacin (capsule dissolved in 1 gallon of water) plus nutritional yeast (people stuff) in their food. I do have Nutri Drench and was looking at that last night wondering if I should give them some of that. Thanks for the help. I have been wetting their food from day 1. I thought about the fermented feed too so I can start that. I have tried 3 different brands and the others eat any of it just fine, it is just the Cayugas. Keep the suggestions coming! I really do appreciate it. I have two books on ducks and read this forum. This is my first time with baby ducks. Had adults in the past until something got them.

Gave them another gallon waterer in a pan and boy are they having a blast (and making a mess!) They're trying to get in it and swim but there's only 2" for them to wiggle in there. Oy vey! Found this on another portion of BYC

Looks helpful but I imagine this is just for baby ducks. I guess you could try to make it for adults too if you use bigger fittings. I may try to make something like that. It is going to be a mess this winter but once they're big enough and can go out during the day in their yard I can put tubs of water for them to play in. So much for getting anything else accomplished today.

 

[Betsy57]

The one buff duck with the leg around it's neck....it is losing all its "feathers" around its head. Doesn't look like it has a sore or anything. It started out like a wet spot on its head (I thought it was just wet down sticking to her head) but it is spreading to both sides of the face and head. Any idea? Is it just losing down to prepare for short hair/feathers or ????

 

[Miss Lydia]

I am giving them 100 mg niacin (capsule dissolved in 1 gallon of water) plus nutritional yeast (people stuff) in their food. I do have Nutri Drench and was looking at that last night wondering if I should give them some of that. Thanks for the help. I have been wetting their food from day 1. I thought about the fermented feed too so I can start that. I have tried 3 different brands and the others eat any of it just fine, it is just the Cayugas. Keep the suggestions coming! I really do appreciate it. I have two books on ducks and read this forum. This is my first time with baby ducks. Had adults in the past until something got them.

Gave them another gallon waterer in a pan and boy are they having a blast (and making a mess!) They're trying to get in it and swim but there's only 2" for them to wiggle in there. Oy vey! Found this on another portion of BYC

Looks helpful but I imagine this is just for baby ducks. I guess you could try to make it for adults too if you use bigger fittings. I may try to make something like that. It is going to be a mess this winter but once they're big enough and can go out during the day in their yard I can put tubs of water for them to play in. So much for getting anything else accomplished today.

Naw too much work and not enough room to wash out their eyes. They need to be able to wash their whole heads if they want.