Tiny duckling?

vsmenagerie

Songster
10 Years
Jul 23, 2011
339
9
161
MT
These swedish ducklings were hatched end of July. Their momma had had a previous set of 4 and then decided it sounded like a great idea to set on another nest, and hatched out 5. 4 of them are growing perfectly fine. But one of them basically quit growing at a couple weeks and is just a tiny little thing. Its active, eats well, keeps right up with the others but is staying small. Is there any hope this little guy will eventually catch up? They are free range and I feed them a waterfowl feed by payback feeds that I add some brewers yeast to on occasion. I make sure the little one gets food at feeding time. Ive read on failure to thrive ducklings but it doesn't seem to totally fit, as this one gets around just fine. Ive considered bringing it into the house and brooding it, but have no one I can bring in with.

This picture shows mom and the 5 babies.

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It sure is tiny but if acting healthy eating drinking foraging fine then maybe it will just always be small. They sure are cute.

I would be concerned about predators with it being so much smaller.
 
Thank you! I started with 5 ducks, I ordered them on a whim with some layers. I ended up with 3 ducks and 2 drakes. One of my ducks hatched out 2 batches this year, a set of 4 and this set of 5. The other one that set hatched out 10! So its been a lot of fun watching them all grow. :) We love them so much. I just thought I would double check there isn't something else I should be doing for this little one to make sure its got the best chance
 
Poultry vitamins can always help give a boost. And of course the best feed you can buy. Niacin for leg and neurological strength can also be great when they are growing so fast. I always rec Nutritional yeast or brewers yeast since the niacin is in natural form. 1 Tab sprinkled over each cup of feed. This they should have till at least 10 weeks old but I still add it to mines feed 2X a week and they are all adults. It's so good for them.

All the best and please keep us updated on them and the tiny one especially.
Storey's guide to raising ducks is a really good reference book to have on hand too.
 
Wow! That guy is way tiny! I had a duckling who grew slower than her siblings. She started feathering at four weeks, while the others started feathering at two and a half weeks. She's 12 weeks old now and is one of my smallest ducks, but she seems to be doing fine.

tiny3.jpg
 

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