One of my ducks isnt happy

[oliverj102]

Hi there,

Last Wednesday I acquired 3 ducklings, already fully feathered and previously out in a small run, Ive made a 2x2m enclosure thats walls stand 4 ft off the ground with fruit netting covering the top to protect against birds.

This morning I let them out and they where all happy to see me and eager for their breakfast, I had to go out for 2 hours and when I came back one of them was hunkered down looking very sad. I went in and picked them up and them seems fine, able to walk and chirp, but initially they where shaking their head like they had something lodged in their throat, after 4-5 of these something shot out but before i could get it he other 2 ducklings pounced on them and ate them.... They are both still fine, frisky and quacking, but my third one is still unhappy and im really worried about them, they are able to walk around, but just seems really tired.

Ive hand fed them chick crumbs and made sure they have had water, they are able to eat and when so inclined to, get water from their bowl, but they are basically looking really sad or tired. Ive had their throats checked for blockages and nothing was obvious but im not sure what else I can do.

They have eaten and drank today and have water and some nibbles in their hutch currently, as I have just shut them in for the night as its blowing a gale and they where inside anyway.

Does anyone have any suggestions about what's up with my little duckling? they are really sweet and Id hate to loose one, especially so young!

Hope someone can help

Thanks

 

[Amiga]

Do they have food with water free choice all the time? If not, they could be very malnourished.

They will overeat and vomit if they have not had food for any length of time.

 

[oliverj102]

They have access to hay all the time, several logs for bugs and I take out food for them 3times a day on top of what they find, they also help them selves to my strawberries and bell peppers which they seem to love.

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

They have access to hay all the time, several logs for bugs and I take out food for them 3times a day on top of what they find, they also help them selves to my strawberries and bell peppers which they seem to love.

I think you should look into a balanced feed from the store. I think that would help.

 

[oliverj102]

The food they are getting are chick crumbs which is what was recommended for them, at least for the next few weeks.

Unfortunately my little duckling didnt make it through the night, I let them out this morning and 2 came out happy, the 3rd was curled up and stiff..... they had died in their sleep, so sad. I made sure they had food and water even though they wouldn't seek it out, I just wish I knew what had happened.

 

[Amykins]

The food they are getting are chick crumbs which is what was recommended for them, at least for the next few weeks.

Unfortunately my little duckling didnt make it through the night, I let them out this morning and 2 came out happy, the 3rd was curled up and stiff..... they had died in their sleep, so sad. I made sure they had food and water even though they wouldn't seek it out, I just wish I knew what had happened.

Did you give them grit? Ducklings really can't handle something as fibrous as hay, even with non-calcified grit. They may have gotten a blockage or an intusussception. Also, is you're giving them chick crumbs, are you fortifying it with niacin?

 

[oliverj102]

niacin was never something that came up when discussing keeping them, I got them from a couple who had been keeping ducks for years, they said they just needed these chick crumbs, foraging room and constant access to water. their pen is on my lawn and they have dug little holes all over it.

is niacin a big issue? how do i fortify it?

 

[Amykins]

niacin was never something that came up when discussing keeping them, I got them from a couple who had been keeping ducks for years, they said they just needed these chick crumbs, foraging room and constant access to water. their pen is on my lawn and they have dug little holes all over it.

is niacin a big issue? how do i fortify it?

I use crushed up niacin tablets, you can buy them at most drug stores. You can also use brewer's yeast, NOT bread yeast!

 

[tdd2]

niacin was never something that came up when discussing keeping them, I got them from a couple who had been keeping ducks for years, they said they just needed these chick crumbs, foraging room and constant access to water. their pen is on my lawn and they have dug little holes all over it.

is niacin a big issue? how do i fortify it?

Very sorry to hear about the lost little one

As for niacin, you can also give them brewers yeast as a niacin supplement - I get it on Amazon in a 2 lb tub for $16.00 - lasts for months. You can either sprinkle it on their food, or mix it in with some water (but I don't leave that out more than an hour or two - don't want it going bad).

As an extra treat twice a week, I typically make up a bowl with 4 cups of water mixed with a tablespoon or two of brewers yeast, and then I add a handful of fresh salad greens chopped up a bit, a 1/2 cup scoop of their regular duck feed (I use Southern States Aqua Specialty - it's formulated specifically for ducks, and it floats) and a tablespoon of granite chick grit. They go at it like they've not been fed for days!! (mind you, they get peas and dried meal worms as treats daily, have 2-3 hours of free foraging each day, and are free fed during daylight hours in their predator proof pen - they aren't going hungry here!!)

Once a week, I also add to the mix above, several drops of Poultry Nutri-Drench as an added vitamin supplement.

Hope that helps!

Dan