One duckling dead, Three not eating

[jnbelknap]

Please help! I got four ducks from Metzer Farms on Wednesday morning, a Pekin, Rouen, Blue Runner, and Cayuga. This is my first experience with ducks, but I have raised chickens for a couple years. I came out to play with them to find my Cayuga, Matilda, dead.

I checked the temperature, food, and water, and everything was as it should be. I looked for injuries, and there were none. I checked her vent, and it was clear. I am so sad, but now I am just worried about my three little ones. Upon reflection, I can say that I have not seen any of them go to the food bowl. They spend a lot of time at the waterer, but I cannot say that I have seen any of them eat! I felt their crops, and they feel squishy instead of grainy. I feel terrible for this oversight.

When I put them in the broody box, I put each of their faces in the food and then the water. I never had a problem with my chicken chicks, so I didn't even think about it.

How can I make them eat? I put a crumble of grain in their mouths, and they spit it out. I have electrolytes in their water, and I just added some crumbles too. What else can I do?

Thank you for helping me. I can't leave them now that I am afraid of losing them all.

 

[Amykins]

Oh, dear...I'm so sorry, sweets. If one is dead and the other three are drinking a lot but not eating, it could be a sign of yolk infection. My vet thinks that's what took my little Milkshake earlier this year. I know it sounds like a tall order, but is there an emergency vet you could take them to?

 

[jnbelknap]

I wish! The only avian vet around here is a 9-5 M-F, and of course now it's Friday night. I hope they make it until Monday when I can take them in. The crumbles in the water worked a bit, and all three got some. They do not act sick at all. Is there anything else I should look for? Any way to encourage eating?

 

[Amykins]

GRRR I hate when clinics do that, it's like hello, you're not an office you take care of sick animals!! Sorry, sorry...major nerve for me.

I wish I could tell you what to do, hun. Do their feet and bills feel exceptionally warm? Have you tried mushing water into the feed or using a dropper? When Bean was ill we gave her unflavored pedialyte just to get some nutrients and electrolytes into her. I think it really made a difference.

@Amiga , @JadeComputerGal , any suggestions?

 

[jnbelknap]

I hear you. It's such a helpless feeling!

Their feet and bills don't feel exceptionally warm. I put a bunch of crumbles in their water and made a mush, and I think they got a little. The waterer has Chick Boost in it which is electrolytes and vitamins. I will put some Nutri-Drench in their evening water change.

They just seem completely uninterested in the food. So different than chicks! When I try to force feed, they spit it out. I will try a syringe tonight.

 

[Amiga]

Keep up with the extras in their water - what are you feeding them? I would try offering them a little cooled cooked oatmeal gruel (not instant, just plain) just to see if they will drink some.

And I would contact the hatchery to see if they have any insight. They need to know of problems like this.

 

[jnbelknap]

I am feeding them a mix of about 70% organic chick starter (20.5% protein) and 30% organic game bird feed (24% protein).

I made a mash, and they are starting to eat now! I feel awful and negligible that I didn't notice such an important thing for so long I hope they all make it through the night.

I will try oatmeal in the morning if they aren't doing well. Thank you for all your help. Losing a baby animal is always so traumatic. This is especially hard since it's my first go at ducks. I'm so attached already.

 

[Amykins]

I hope they make it, too. Keep us updated, ok? I'm glad the mash is working, I thought that might have made it a little easier for them!

I know, nothing feels as heartbreaking as losing a baby duck. I lost my Milkshake and I'm still not over it. If not for lil' Bean I'd have lost all hope of raising a little girl duck. I'll keep you and your babies in my thoughts, and I hope they make it through the night.

 

[JadeComputerGal]

We were out last night and I'm catching up. Glad to hear they're already doing better, and so sorry about the one that didn't make it.

What I do is put a small white cloth on part of the bottom of the brooder, and I sprinkle some crumbles on that. Healthy ducklings love to peck at things just like chicks do, so that will usually get them eating until they get used to going to their food dish. I figure that pecking around also gives them a little something to do to break up the boredom of being stuck in a brooder all day. If you want to give this a try, any color cloth that's a significantly different color from the crumbles will work. I use white because that makes it easiest to see there's something on the floor to peck at. Also, you want to use a smooth cloth if you can. If you use something looped like terry, they'll quickly get their tiny toenails caught in it and all the crumbles will spill off into the bedding.

I really, really hope these three will get better and better. I'd call Metzer about it today if I were you, as Amiga suggested, even if the other three seem fine. I think I read that Metzer has a free replacement policy if you call them right away about ones that don't survive.

 

[jnbelknap]

I am happy to report that my remaining three are acting as they should be! Playing with lots of energy, chirping at me, pooping nonstop, and (thank goodness) now eating like champs.

Thank you all for your support. Topanga, Mabel, and Liz Lemon say thank you too!