Sick and dying ducklings, help!

[KelseySora]

We lost one of five 4 week old ducklings yesterday. Didn't have a chance to try to save her as we woke up to the final stages. We think to botulism or some other neurological toxin due to her spasms and neck craning and paralysis. Very sad. The rest seemed perfectly fine. They stayed in a safe run on fresh grass and had fresh water as well as molasses/Epsom salt water. This morning another seems sick. No twitchy neurological symptoms yet but she doesn't want to walk or eat or drink and keeps her neck crunched up into her shoulders. I separated her and gave her water with molasses and Epsom salts which she was able to drink when I tipped her bill in myself. No protest at being separated which is very unusual. I don't know what to do or if separating her is the right thing or not. Should I give her a heat lamp? Syringe feed water? Is molasses water the right thing? Is it good or bad/traumatic to separate, even though she's not protesting? I really don't want to lose her!

 

[casportpony]

Why are you giving them water with Epsom salts and molasses? Your sick duckling needs to be kept in a warm cage, 80-85 degrees is ideal.

 

[casportpony]

More details would be helpful too.

• What are you feeding them?
• Have pesticides been used on the lawn?
• How cold was it yesterday?
• Are they fully feathered?
• What does their poop look like?

 

[casportpony]

http://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/2051/major-viral-diseases-of-waterfowl-and-their-control/

 

[KelseySora]

Why are you giving them water with Epsom salts and molasses? Your sick duckling needs to be kept in a warm cage, 80-85 degrees is ideal.

Because my duck book said so... that if they are exposed to a toxin to give this as their sole water for 8 hours as a laxative and also for the vitamins in the molasses. I don't know for sure if this is what is causing the illness though. The one that died definitely seemed to have been exposed to a neurological toxin from her symptoms so I was working off of that. But it could be a coincidence.

 

[KelseySora]

More details would be helpful too.

• What are you feeding them?
• Have pesticides been used on the lawn?
• How cold was it yesterday?
• Are they fully feathered?
• What does their poop look like?

They have been getting chick starter with added vitamins as necessary for ducks. We use no pesticides. It was around 75 yesterday they go outside during the day and in to a warm indoor brooder still at night. They are half feathered maybe? But don't seem cold outside, they don't huddle together or anything.... this one I have separated has dark black runny poop :-(

 

[casportpony]

Where do you live?

 

[casportpony]

I ask where you live because it's possible that you live in a state that will test your deceased ducklings for free or a small fee.

 

[chickens really]

Eating grass they need Grit too. Possibly ate a poisoned plant?..Definitely something is wrong so now to figure it out. Moldy feed or Botulism in the feed..

 

[KelseySora]

Where do you live?

Near Eugene Oregon.