Unsuccessful baby duck

[BeardedDuckDad]

By any chance was the water cold, and did she become soaked? Ducklings without a mother can sometimes become waterlogged and hypothermic. I am so very sorry for your loss.

Would this cause her to just go limp and die

 

[sourland]

Would this cause her to just go limp and die

If she became soaked/chilled/hypothermic, yes this could cause her to die. Ducklings get 'oiled/water proofed' from their mother initially. As they grow they can oil themselves from their oil gland. I never lost ducklings that way, but over the years others have posted of losses from this.

 

[Miss Lydia]

You can let ducklings swim in water but it has to be warm and they have to be taken out before it gets cooled down then you pat them dry and put them right back under a heat source. So they can finish drying. I always start off with warm water right up to tops of their legs and as they get used to that increase the water level but never leave them alone as @sourland says they can get water logged pretty quick and chill.
In that link I gave you there is a lot of info on setting up a brooder and what all you'll need.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/how-to-set-up-a-duckling-brooder.75719/

 

[BeardedDuckDad]

If she became soaked/chilled/hypothermic, yes this could cause her to die. Ducklings get 'oiled/water proofed' from their mother initially. As they grow they can oil themselves from their oil gland. I never lost ducklings that way, but over the years others have posted of losses from this.

Ok thank you for the information it’s crazy how fast she went like perfectly normal to gone in maybe a half hour

 

[BeardedDuckDad]

What is your take on having ducklings shipped from Metzger Farms

 

[BeardedDuckDad]

The organic crumbles is good food but if we feed them anything besides their crumbles they need grit and when tiny chick grit is put in a small container next to their feed. Not saying this is what caused her to die it's just something not everyone knows about when just starting with ducklings, it's also a good idea to make sure they have enough niacin for strong legs most of us use Nutritional yeast sprinkled over their feed 1 Tablespoon to each cup of feed we give them this should be done daily until at least 10-12 weeks old.
I am very sorry this happened and your daughter is heartbroken I do hope you all will try again Many places have ducklings for sale right now and if you decide to try again to raise more please consider at least 3 that way if something happens again and you lose one the one left will still have a buddy. We have a lot of good information here on BYC for all stages of growth and many other things so come back and ask and we'll point you in the right direction.
Most of us have lost ducklings and on up to old age and it is very hard to lose one. We understand

What brand of yeast do you recommend

 

[SilverBirds]

What is your take on having ducklings shipped from Metzger Farms

I haven't ordered poultry from Metzer before, but I've heard great things about them. I have received shipped chicks/ducklings from other hatcheries. When choosing a hatchery to order from try and go with one close to your state, so the babies don't have to travel as far.

 

[BeardedDuckDad]

I haven't ordered poultry from Metzer before, but I've heard great things about them. I have received shipped chicks/ducklings from other hatcheries. When choosing a hatchery to order from try and go with one close to your state, so the babies don't have to travel as far.

Well we just ordered 4 from them so I’ll let you know how it goes…I had to fill the void of the loss for my daughter and no one local will have them until the end of march…we ordered 4 to be safe and so the little one wouldn’t have to travel alone

 

[Miss Lydia]

What brand of yeast do you recommend

I order NOW off of ebay i buy 10lvbs at a time I have 30 birds. It comes in different sizes.
But Braggs carries a good one too but in the grocery store it's only a small container.

 

[Miss Lydia]

What breed did you order? I got 4 Indian Runner ducklings from them last Sept and they are the funniest little girls. Came healthy and have been ever since.
@BeardedDuckDad what part of the country are you in?