Sick duckling...any advice? Updated. Updated some more with more questions.

[Jenwa098]

On another thread I mentioned my Runner hatched 8 eggs. They all appeared healthy, but today (about 24 hours in) I notice one has an eye that is sort of closed and who waddles a few steps and sits WAY more than the others.

I gave it a little sugar water and then have had it drink a few times since then, which it has readily, but isn't drinking and eating on it's own like the others. The coop is warm and the hen even took the family out for a bit and they all slept in the sun. When they went back to the coop the sickly one went in, but definitely was at the rear of the flock. It has little bursts of interest in things and even pecked at the grass, but is not as active as the others. Should I remove it and put it under a heat lamp? I hate to take only one, and I also hate to take in a few to have this one die and then the hen not want the others back...

Oh, and when it drinks, water comes out it's nares...I blot it away. Could something be wrong with the way it developed? It seems otherwise normal looking.

Update: Hadn't heard any advice, but went and got probiotic and electrolyte for the water and have plain water available as well. The duckling is still drinking and hasn't gotten any worse, but is still acting sleepier than the others. I also got a replacement bulb for my heat lamp as the highs are supposed to be only in the 60's this weekend.

Thank you.
JW

 

[Amiga]

Well, do check the temperature to be sure you are not overdoing it. 90˚F the first week, dropping 5 degrees a week. And there is some wiggle room there, just watch the duckling.

I might take that one and a buddy for some TLC and then slowly reintroduce them once little has made a recovery.

The electrolytes sound like a good idea. There is also Sav-A-Chick, and Gro-Gel, and plain niacin (100 to 150 mg niacin per gallon of drinking water).

There could be a congenital problem - it happens sometimes. But sometimes they just need an extra boost.

 

[Jenwa098]

The duckling has made it through the day, no better, no worse. It did attempt to eat when they went out when I was cleaning the coop and drank quite a bit of the electrolyte/probiotic mix through the day. I am hopeful, but with the others seeming to be getting stronger by the hour, I also realize the odds may not be very good. I have the heat lamp on as the weather has turned cool and rainy and the ducklings and hen seem to like it...I will monitor through the night, though.

 

[Jenwa098]

So the latest is the runt has improved some. She (looks like a "she" so that's what I'm going with for now) eats and drinks and is more active, but still sits a lot. The hen has gently pushed her with her bill a few times, so we are watching to make sure she doesn't start picking on her, I think the probiotic and electrolyte helped her quite a bit. I am getting brewer's yeast tomorrow. I forgot it today when I went for groceries.

My question is this: The runts neck seems shorter than the others. It doesn't stand full up for long like the other little runners, so I am not sure if it is just an illusion because she's still a little behind, or if she actually has a shorter neck, thus some kind of defect? I also think her legs look more splayed, but I can't tell if it's because she is weaker or if there is something more wrong.

I will try to get a picture. I am still rooting for her, though I know only time will tell.