**Update 3/2/11**Last sad update - Help help help quickly

[azhenhouse]

Received ducks in mail. Drake is dying, and I can't get him to drink. is it over or is there anything I can do?

 

[BlackBrookPoultry]

Did you try putting him in a pool or tub of water or is he too weak to swim? I've had to force feed a duck before. I took my chickens layer feed soaked it in water, rolled it into pea size balls and crammed it down his throat.

 

[easttxchick]

How old is he? Is this an adult?

 

[azhenhouse]

I am having to force feed him water. It has the vitamin pack from metzers in the water. Their hot pack wore off between now and this past Monday and they were in the back of the mail truck. It is snowing here, so they were very cold. He is breathing but just not moving around, is laying with his head on the side. I have him on my lap with a heat pad under him. The girls keep falling asleep in their water. At least they are drinking on their own, and they quickly lift their heads out when it falls in. This is so not fun.

 

[azhenhouse]

Quote:
They were hatched on Monday the 21st.

 

[Munkeesmama]

I would continue force feeding him (possibly making his food into liquid form and syringe feeding him). I would also maybe quickly heat him with a blow dryer, making sure not to burn him. I've found this helps. Do you have access to any grow gel? I'd give that too if you have it!

 

[easttxchick]

Probably too cold for shipping-maybe stress related.
Try warming up the water before getting him to drink it-not TOO hot, warm.
Wrap him in a towel, blanket, something to warm him up.
They should be eating at this point(today at the latest) because they're 3 days old today.
I would take the water out of the brooder so they don't drown and offer them water only a few minutes an hour-make sure they get a drink and then take it out again.

 

[The Duck ABC's]

Mix yogurt with electrolytes and a little bit of sugar. Keep this on the liquid side and use a pipette to feed it. Don't force feed! Just a few milliliters at a time. Repeat that every 3 hours. Give them time, the heat will work. Duckling are very hardy, so don't give up.

 

[mhwc56]

give them warm water and warm the food/wet mash you give them so they get the benefit of being warmed on the inside too. if you use a dryer be very careful to not overheat them /heat them too quickly!

 

[azhenhouse]

Quote:
They had gro.....never mind he just passed away. He fought to the end, but twisted his head back and passed. When I ordered these ducklings I didn't think about the 21st being a holiday. Pray for the others as they are not in the clear. Oh, my son will be so disappointed, he was going to name the drake, Drake.