The Duck Thread

[Y-Knot]

Sorry no one has replied how is your duckling this morning?

Do you have an update on your little one? I hope he is okay.

 

[madamiec]

B vitamins will give him energy if you have any one hand just dissolve in water, niacin and thiamine is also a big factor in duck health. Some of the general comments on health issues are about all you can try at this point...Poly Vi Sol without Iron (WalMart or Drugstore) or NutriDrench from the feed store (I personally like the Poly better). Don't feed the ducklings medicated feed just as a precaution...they can overdose compared to a chicken even though amprolium is supposed to be safe...but it has been proven to cause thiamine deficiency as a side effect. I hope your duck is okay but sometimes it just isn't something you can fix. I wouldn't have little ones with big Pekins because they can hurt the little guys. If you hear any sneezing, wheezing or respiratory issues you can also try VetRx. Check for something stuck in the throat...the little nibblers are notorious for getting a piece of bedding, paper, who knows what stuck in there.
Another note about the medicated feed though...if there is any chance that you could have Cocci it would be best to leave the baby on mediated feed and just give the thiamine and niacin booster. How is the poop?

 

[Reese7383]

We have 9 duckies in total. The oldest two pekings 4wks. Next 2 are 3 wks. The next 3 (including Lamont) are aporox 15 days old. Finally a mallard and rouen which one is 4days and The other 1wk. they are all kept seperate. When we let them outside together it's under close supervision only on warm sunny days. The youngest do not participate. The oldest Pekings do not bother the middle 3. They run around and graze and hop I'm their litter pan pool.
Lamont being of the 3 which are 15day olds. They're all fed crumbles wit niacin. Having only started adding the grit Saturday. Closing in on 24 hours he has had a little more to eat and drink.

It doesn't seem repository or something in his throat. Within the past hour he has started something new. He stands still his head crouched down, and he peeps in despair. Something is definitely wrong. I cannot afford to take him to a vet. I'm afraid of the home remidies causing more problems since we do not know Whats wrong.
Sounds like my best bet is to use poly v sol? How much do I use?


Edit

when grazing outside closley supervised he has a few Worms, grass, peas for a treat and lettus out of the duck garden onlineoccasionally besides his regular diet..until 9pm last night. Since hes only taken from hand some crumbles and water.ive offered every hour since 8am. He's had 3 irregular poos. One last nite 2or 3am. Thick slimey yellow. 8am a mucous encased roll tinged redish orange. (Pick below ) a third at about 2pm completely liquid light brown. Somewhere in between, a 'normal pea sized turd. Since 3pm he's not gone to the bathroom.
Up until about an hour ago (530) he seemed to be getting better. Now he just stands with his head crouched low peeping in despair (he has different peeps). 645pm he didn't take food or water he was offered.

8am poo

530pm standing weird

B vitamins will give him energy if you have any one hand just dissolve in water, niacin and thiamine is also a big factor in duck health. Some of the general comments on health issues are about all you can try at this point...Poly Vi Sol without Iron (WalMart or Drugstore) or NutriDrench from the feed store (I personally like the Poly better). Don't feed the ducklings medicated feed just as a precaution...they can overdose compared to a chicken even though amprolium is supposed to be safe...but it has been proven to cause thiamine deficiency as a side effect. I hope your duck is okay but sometimes it just isn't something you can fix. I wouldn't have little ones with big Pekins because they can hurt the little guys. If you hear any sneezing, wheezing or respiratory issues you can also try VetRx. Check for something stuck in the throat...the little nibblers are notorious for getting a piece of bedding, paper, who knows what stuck in there.
Another note about the medicated feed though...if there is any chance that you could have Cocci it would be best to leave the baby on mediated feed and just give the thiamine and niacin booster. How is the poop? 

 

[WVduckchick]

So cute! What are they looking at over there? Must be interesting =)

My dog, I think! Lol they usually don't pay much attention to him though.

 

[madamiec]

The picture of him looks like he's full of food but you said he didn't eat...maybe it's just the way he's standing? I would keep offering the crumbles and no treats or outside food and see if he's got something "waiting" to pass that he got into...even a too big piece of grit. He doesn't need grit if he is on crumbles only but maybe he ate something that is taking too long to soften...hence the pouch-y front and tinged poo. Kinda worried about the reddish poo but if it's not all liquid that is a good sign. On babies I personally just give a drop twice a day...opinions on that will vary. It should help perk him up and give him a chance to get over whatever is wrong if possible. Is he growing as fast as the others?

 

[Miss Lydia]

The picture of him looks like he's full of food but you said he didn't eat...maybe it's just the way he's standing? I would keep offering the crumbles and no treats or outside food and see if he's got something "waiting" to pass that he got into...even a too big piece of grit. He doesn't need grit if he is on crumbles only but maybe he ate something that is taking too long to soften...hence the pouch-y front and tinged poo. Kinda worried about the reddish poo but if it's not all liquid that is a good sign. On babies I personally just give a drop twice a day...opinions on that will vary. It should help perk him up and give him a chance to get over whatever is wrong if possible. Is he growing as fast as the others?

Good advise only 1 drop morning 1 drop evening on the Poly Vi Sol with out iron, don't want to over dose him. This is made for human babies.

I would offer a little chick grit on the side and keep feed and water out for him 24/7 so he can eat and drink when he wants to. he really needs the water to stay hydrated.

 

[Reese7383]

How is is sitting now. His balance is off. And he keeps leaning backwards. He won't take food or water. He had a worm or two yesterday... called vets, Nobody has an avian doctor till tomorrow. Emergency vet seems.... I can't think of the word.... extensive? It's $160 base line. They can't gaurentee anything, I feel it's a waste. I fear he won't make it through the night. One drop of what? The poly v sol? That's a children's vitamin correct? anything else you suggest? All I want to do is hold him close , is this a bad idea? And his growth seems comparable to the other two his age. As I'm writing this his peeping is slowing down.

The picture of him looks like he's full of food but you said he didn't eat...maybe it's just the way he's standing? I would keep offering the crumbles and no treats or outside food and see if he's got something "waiting" to pass that he got into...even a too big piece of grit. He doesn't need grit if he is on crumbles only but maybe he ate something that is taking too long to soften...hence the pouch-y front and tinged poo. Kinda worried about the reddish poo but if it's not all liquid that is a good sign. On babies I personally just give a drop twice a day...opinions on that will vary. It should help perk him up and give him a chance to get over whatever is wrong if possible. Is he growing as fast as the others?

 

[Lacrystol]

Hi my name is angel I am new to BYC. I have been looking over this site the past few days bc I have just started incubating ducklings (pekin) and chicks (buff orphington). Unfortunately I put the ducklings and chicks in at the same time but I am planning on moving the chicks to a different incubator during lockdown. Right now I have them all in the little giant 9300. I was wondering if There's any advice anyone can give me as being a new hatcher. Also should I mist the duck eggs while they are in with the chick eggs or no? If so when should I start misting?. Another question I have is should the temp be lowered after the chicks hatch or no? Please not negative comments. I'm sure I have more questions but I'll leave it to that for now.

check out my site www.lwbarnhouse.com there are tips on incubating, perhaps that will help with a lot of your questions

 

[madamiec]

Niacin deficiency will cause neurological issues and balance problems...a drop of Poly Vi Sol without iron (yes, it's infant vitamin). I wish I had an answer for you. Sugar water might help with energy until you get the drops...ANY vitamin B in the house? If you are getting vitamins from the store I would take him with me and give it in the parking lot at this point!

 

[Reese7383]

He isn't eating or drinking

Good advise only 1 drop morning 1 drop evening on the Poly Vi Sol with out iron, don't want to over dose him. This is made for human babies.

I would offer a little chick grit on the side and keep feed and water out for him 24/7 so he can eat and drink when he wants to. he really needs the water to stay hydrated.