Not sure if my ducklings are healthy

[M Kelley]

I have 4 pekin ducklings about 4 1/2 weeks old, at one point they were all panting but it seems one is open mouth breathing pretty heavily and one has pinkish/red around one eye, but kind of has a a little bit of a white crusty look directly around the eye. They all have very scraggly feathers but I'm not if it's because they are getting their adult feathers in. They all are eating and drinking. The temperature is not hot and I give them fresh water several times a day. They are definately outgrowing their brooder. We should have their house and run ready in about a week to move them outside. I live in Massachusetts and the nights are still pretty chilly so I'm not sure if it's to cold to move them outside in a week or so. They are still very skittish and run to one corner when I approach them even though we have been hold and interacting with them since we've got them. This is the first time I've owned ducks so I'm not sure what is normal. I should also mention that i have them sharing a brooder with 6 chicks about the same age but they are separated with chicken wire. Any input would be helpful.

 

[LilLightning]

I'm not much of an expert on ducks, but does its nose look crusted or anything? :/ If so, it might be a cold. Is it only one that looks really sick? You might want to separate it from the other ducks for now just in case it's contagious. If it's eating and drinking, then it's probably fine. Are they swimming at least once a day? They need to submerge their heads. If it still seems sick after two weeks or so, you might want to take it to the vet. I hope this was helpful! Hope your ducks get better soon!

 

[Amiga]

Ducklings need to have a way to wash their entire heads frequently, or they start to have problems like you are describing.

Set up a head washer and put just a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar per pint of water for now.

This is a good guide and includes reference to a head washer.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/750869/raising-and-caring-for-ducklings#post_10611711

 

[gander007]

Ducks big or small have to have clean water daily to wash up in ....






Just to keep clean ....





You need to find something for them to clean up in ....






Even a small swimming pool from Wal-Mart .......



Duck's do grow fast and I start leaving mine outside at 4 week of age but it is also very warm here .......

 

[M Kelley]

Thanks for the help, I already have a milk jug with a hole cut out big enough for them to dunk their whole head and I give them fresh water several times a day, so do I need a separate container for a head washer? Or can I just add the apple cider vinegar to that container that they drink out of?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thanks for the help, I already have a milk jug with a hole cut out big enough for them to dunk their whole head and I give them fresh water several times a day, so do I need a separate container for a head washer? Or can I just add the apple cider vinegar to that container that they drink out of?

They can dunk their heads in the container they drink out of and add the ACV to it.

 

[M Kelley]

Thank you!