Trying to figure out what is wrong with these ducklings!

[30082615]

Hi! I’m new here and I’ve been looking at a bunch of posts trying to figure out if my question could be answered! My fiancé and I have a bunch of chickens and ducks. We went to our local rural king to pick up a birthday gift for my father in law and decided to just take a look at what they had in their poultry section. We were looking and at the very end they had these ducklings that just didn’t seem okay to me. I called my fiancé over and I asked him what he thought and he said they could’ve just gave them a bath! I didn’t think that’s what it was so I stuck my hand in and touched one and they were completely dry! They could not stop pecking themselves and our ducklings looked nothing like this when we got them! I wanna try my best and figure out what’s wrong with them and see if they’re okay to get because I’d like to rescue them and treat them for whatever it is they may have!

 

[Quatie]

Not entirely sure. They are definitely overcrowded in that cage. There is no way that cage can stay clean even for a few minutes with so many ducklings crammed in there. They may have burns from ammonia. I don't know what ammonia burns looks like, but these ducklings look filthy.

@Miss Lydia

 

[30082615]

I thought they were too crowded as well! They had another brooder with more ducklings that looked nothing like this and there wasn’t nearly as many inside! But you are right it’s disgusting! I’m not quite sure how you can be okay with displaying this to people that are interested in buying from you! It made me sick but there wasn’t anyone there for me to say anything to!

 

[Quatie]

I don't get how they can get away with stuff like that. I use to work in animal research and we were required to care for animals better than that. We could lose our ability to do animal research if we did something like that. But some how a farm animal is worth less than one in a lab.

 

[30082615]

I don't get how they can get away with stuff like that. I use to work in animal research and we were required to care for animals better than that. We could lose our ability to do animal research if we did something like that. But some how a farm animal is worth less than one in a lab.

I don’t know how either! When we started getting chicks and ducklings we had gotten them from rural king and tractor supply! They were perfectly fine, nothing ever looked like this! It wasn’t until lately that they started getting like this! The last time we were there they just had the deceased chicks laying there in a box for everyone to see. I cannot see how a company could be so okay with one neglecting animals and two allowing their customers to see how negligent they are! No one was there to tend to the animals or sell you them if you were interested in getting any! For people who are “animal friendly” and “know” what they’re doing, they’re pretty ignorant.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Call and ask to speak to the manager and tell them what you saw and was wondering what was wrong with the ducklings, if you can't get any answers contact the main office. I would threaten them with animal abuse if they don't do something. They do look like maybe laying in their waste is causing problems. Offer to take them off their hands.
This should not be allowed at all. Without consquences.

Won't be long before burns will cause open sores. But if they can be rescued washed and treated they should recover.

 

[30082615]

Call and ask to speak to the manager and tell them what you saw and was wondering what was wrong with the ducklings, if you can't get any answers contact the main office. I would threaten them with animal abuse if they don't do something. They do look like maybe laying in their waste is causing problems. Offer to take them off their hands.
This should not be allowed at all. Without consquences.

Won't be long before burns will cause open sores. But if they can be rescued washed and treated they should recover.

I was looking to see who I should contact! I wasn’t exactly sure who would be the best person to talk to about it but I’m just glad I took a picture because I knew something was wrong. We went to tractor supply after this because they didn’t have what we needed at rural king. When we were checking out I ask the cashier if he knew anything about ducklings and he said yes so I showed him the image and he said that they are definitely not supposed to look like that! I would love to take them all but they sell them for so much a piece that I’m not sure I’d be able to afford it or be able to house them all for the time being! Those pore things were itching each other. It made me sick. It looked like some of them were deceased laying there! I don’t know if it could be mites or burns from the lamp or the feces because it was all in their food.

 

[Miss Lydia]

That is so sad. Volunteer to take them off their hands and get them fixed up and find them good homes.
I'd even go as far as telling them you'll contact the local paper or news network because you have a picture.pictures..
If they say they wouldn't voluntarily give them up. They will not want the bad taste this is going to leave in people's mouths.

What was in their food?

 

[Isadora]

Hi! I’m new here and I’ve been looking at a bunch of posts trying to figure out if my question could be answered! My fiancé and I have a bunch of chickens and ducks. We went to our local rural king to pick up a birthday gift for my father in law and decided to just take a look at what they had in their poultry section. We were looking and at the very end they had these ducklings that just didn’t seem okay to me. I called my fiancé over and I asked him what he thought and he said they could’ve just gave them a bath! I didn’t think that’s what it was so I stuck my hand in and touched one and they were completely dry! They could not stop pecking themselves and our ducklings looked nothing like this when we got them! I wanna try my best and figure out what’s wrong with them and see if they’re okay to get because I’d like to rescue them and treat them for whatever it is they may have!

I feel the best way to tackle this is to make a big deal out of it, but don't buy them. I know you said there was no one at the store to talk to, but surely there were cashiers checking people out? If those are the only people there, you can certainly talk to them, insist to speak to a manager, etc. It doesn't have to be someone near the animals. All buying does is signal the store that the ducklings are selling, and they will just bring in more to sell. If people stop buying when conditions are bad, stores will put in a lot more effort to make sure the animals are taken care of properly.
Bless your heart for caring. Those poor ducklings

 

[30082615]

W

I feel the best way to tackle this is to make a big deal out of it, but don't buy them. I know you said there was no one at the store to talk to, but surely there were cashiers checking people out? If those are the only people there, you can certainly talk to them, insist to speak to a manager, etc. It doesn't have to be someone near the animals. All buying does is signal the store that the ducklings are selling, and they will just bring in more to sell. If people stop buying when conditions are bad, stores will put in a lot more effort to make sure the animals are taken care of properly.
Bless your heart for caring. Those poor ducklings

We called and the manager took it as if it was a joke!