Sickly ducklings

[Ravynscroft]

They sell starter feed with Narazine and Nicarbazin here, that's why I asked. And it's quite a popular feed too. As far as I've red, those two will harm ducklings. It's extremely toxic to other animals, especially horses.

Ah, I hadn't heard of that one... I would think if they had been eating that that they wouldn't have survived long after you got them though?

 

[Ducktown]

And another one choked this morning. I chopped slugs (now even smaller chunks) and gave them small amounts to make them eat as slow as possible. Despite that the small duck stuffed too much and choked. I even washed them and placed them into water - other two ducks that drink when they eat did not even had slime on their beaks! I have no idea what is causing this. Everything seemed to go for the better for them, now this. I understand why they didn't drink when they were being fed, they were afraid other ducklings would eat everything. They didn't stop that even after there was enough food. The remaining duckling does drink and washes down food, but there's that limp.. Now that the small duckling passed away, I could examine his feet. There were bumps on both feet, so it did have bumble foot. They were almost completely healed from the outside (only one relatively small was still brown) and I'm sure if it wasn't for extreme lust for food, it would have made it.

The remaining duckling I bought is grieving now and just sits on the edge of the pond, it did eat, but not nearly as much as it used to. This morning, when there were still 3, they were energetic and I was happy because I thought they will be finally start to recover. They played in the pond and had good appetite.

 

[Miss Lydia]

The small duck must have never had enough to eat from hatch and mindset is now get as much as possible. Poor things.
I am thinking maybe stop feeding slugs for a few days and see if they start feeling better maybe they are getting too much of a good thing??

 

[Ducktown]

They are outside and we've had some T-storms that made the slimy creatures start moving around practically everywhere. I'll make sure they will eat as much as possible before I let them out free range. Later, sun will make sure tat slugs hide into the soil where they are not as easy to find for the ducks.
The more encouraging thing is, that my duckling ant the remaining one drink while they eat, so it's perhaps less likely they will choke. I'll be extra cautious just in case.

PS: I did think about possible limp cause - if it gained a lot of weight and size and his muscles were not developing as fast. Perhaps it has weak muscles because of rapid growth now that they are on a better diet. I'll see how it goes. Today they both appeared much more energetic. They wanted to leave the coop despite light rain. I let them go swimming for 15 minutes or so, then took them back inside. They are still somewhat stubborn when it comes to going to bed, but I think they will learn soon.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Your a good person to care so much, they are blessed to have you.

 

[Ducktown]

One remaining duckling is still alive and tonight it seemed less sickly and I think it doesn't limp as it used to. It still rather swims and rests on the ground and is not nearly as energetic as the large duckling, but it does show some signs of improvement.

I did a few changes in their diet. Since I can't prevent them from eating slugs, I make sure they eat more feed and I started giving them a lot more greens. They don't like peas or most of the green plants, except for chick weed and fat hen which they love. I give them a few slugs and I bring them next to the pond. The large duck instantly jumps into the water and eats them inside. The small one usually drops it into the water this way and since it sinks to the bottom, I fear the water will become filled with dead slugs eventually. They don't eat them when they start floating in a day or two.. I lure the small one out and give it the smaller slugs that are easier to swallow or offer them chopped slugs on a plate while they are in the water. This way, if the small one drops a piece into the water, the large and always hungry duckling grabs it. She even started swimming under water. Feathery beast! This way, none had issues and I've noticed they both refuse to eat a slug if there's no water around. LArge duck takes it and walks into the pond, the small black one just nibbles a few times and leaves it there.

They refuse to eat fresh peas. To prevent them from becoming niacin deficient, I tried adding yeast on top of their feed. They hate that as well. For now, I'm hoping they will get enough niacin from greens and slugs (they don't roam around as much now so they eat less insects).

We've had some serious thunderstorms last night. They went to their coop on their own, but they rushed out as soon as they saw me walking by. After that, they stayed under dense bamboo during the rain and didn't seem to be bothered by it. Some time later, I managed to make them go inside and I closed the doors, so they remained inside for the night. Tonight, I have found them in their coop at dusk and I only needed to close the doors for them.

Here's a video of their cleaning job after their evening meals and before their sleep.
The small one is also getting its feathers.

 

[Miss Lydia]

You really have a nice place for them. Is small one still having trouble walking? Did you get brewers yeast or Nutritional yeast? I mix it into their feed if I sprinkle mine won't eat it. I am glad to hear your seeing improvements. Amazing the size difference in the 2.

 

[Ducktown]

Can you see how fat the crop of the large one is. Morning temperatures are dropping to 15°C and even lower later this week (12°C). Thy are both feathering-up so I'll just make sure they are well fed before they go to bed and hope they won't get cold. They were roaming around in the rain, which makes me think they'll be more than OK. The heat hurts them more than cold, I think.

I use baker's yeast. It's much more available than brewer's yeast around here (I have yet to find it) and has similar nutrition value.

Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy 1,361 kJ (325 kcal)
Carbohydrates
41.22 g
Sugars 0 g
Dietary fiber 26.9 g
Fat
7.61 g
Protein
40.44 g
Vitamins
Thiamine (B1)
(956%)
10.99 mg
Riboflavin (B2)
(333%)
4 mg
Niacin (B3)
(268%)
40.2 mg
Pantothenic acid (B5)
(270%)
13.5 mg
Vitamin B6
(115%)
1.5 mg
Folate (B9)
(585%)
2340 μg
Choline
(7%)
32 mg
Vitamin C
(0%)
0.3 mg
Minerals
Calcium
(3%)
30 mg
Iron
(17%)
2.17 mg
Magnesium
(15%)
54 mg
Manganese
(15%)
0.312 mg
Phosphorus
(91%)
637 mg
Potassium
(20%)
955 mg
Sodium
(3%)
51 mg
Zinc
(84%)
7.94 mg

 

[MamaCoop0609]

My dog is having problems walking as well as standing. He seems to have a balance issue, he can't even preen without flopping over. When I sit and look at him it looks like he is drunk almost! It's killing me to watch him! I have a video but can't seem to figure out how to post it! If anyone has any advice please help!

 

[MamaCoop0609]

My

My dog is having problems walking as well as standing. He seems to have a balance issue, he can't even preen without flopping over. When I sit and look at him it looks like he is drunk almost! It's killing me to watch him! I have a video but can't seem to figure out how to post it! If anyone has any advice please help!

My duck*** not my dog!