runty duckling

[JulieNKC]

Hi all! I had two ducklings hatch and seven and a half weeks ago. Momma was a bei, daddy a call. I do line breed my calls, but the parents of these two werent related at all since parents are different breeds sothe ducklings are mutts,lol. The eggs were her first two, so pullet eggs. And momma had a habit of ditching her eggs half the day so after a few weeks I stuck the under a serama hen who was a proven good mom and setting her own eggs. Her eggs hatched first, so the ducks went in the bator for lockdown. They hatched and looked great at first. Then the blue duckling has slowly been falling behind ever since. Besides being tiny, he's still all downy while sis is almost all feathered. I've asked several trustworthy duck peeps what I should expect, and I've heard she'll catch up, eventually die, etc. So, just thought I'd see if anyone else has peanut experience and how its turned out.

 

[Kevin565]

Hey Julie!

It sounds like she could be a "micro" duck. If I'm not mistaken we've had a micro call duck and a micro muscovy on here in the past.

 

[JulieNKC]

Kevin!!!!! Long time no see! Thanks, I remembered reading about some micros, but just couldn't remember the word. Googled and byc searched runt, tiny, won't grow, etc, but guessing I'll have more luck looking for micro.
How've you been? How are thos gorgeous dogs of yours?

 

[Kevin565]

It's great to see you! I hope that search will come up with some information. I'm pretty sure in both cases the ducks lived a fairly normal life span. I think in both cases they ended up being drakes but I'm not for sure.

I've been doing fairly well. Things have been pretty busy lately though. Everyone's doing great! No one seems to like this weather though. They got their first taste of snow last week.....they weren't impressed.

. How have you been?

 

[AliciaDuckLady]

One of my khaki ducklings is well behind her sister, also downy instead of being fully feathered. She was a head shorter at four days old. She has been sick with a respiratory infection that may have contributed. She is going so well now though and has been gaining 50g + every day!! Her feathers are sprouting, slowly but surely. She just needed more love I'm glad we were able to look after her and bring her through her difficult childhood My impression is that she is going to be fine. I'm sure your little one will be too.

 

[AliciaDuckLady]

Forgot to mention that she has been one third the size of her sister or less until now.