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

[The Duck ABC's]

First at all you did the best you could. He was probably past recovery. I use the pee wee pads and use old towel on top of it. I would not use hay at this point, because they are still weak and it can harbor mold spores.

 

[azhenhouse]

Quote:
Thank you, I needed that.

I am going to try the towels. The poor thing looks like she is trying to do the splits.

 

[pirtykitty]

Make sure the towels don't have any strings or holes in them so the babies don't get their little legs or necks tangled in them..
Hope they are doing better..

 

[cfdf]

ok so this happened to my chicken and not a duck but maybe you will have the same results. One of my 3 day old chicks got out of the brooder and apparently my dog decided to "save" it. When I found the poor thing I thought it was dead for sure. It was laying on the floor totally wet, not moving at all, cold, and I thought was surely soon dead. I felt sorry for it cause it was still breathing but as I said soon dead. I put it under the heat lamp thinking that even though it is soon dead, at least it will be warm and not cold....soon dead. I came back a while later and checked on it and it was still breathing..not moving..soon dead. I cut out a small box with holes in it and put over the chick...darkness might calm it down...later I picked up the box and the chickie was sitting up but still not moving...I put the box back over it...came and back later and the chickie was sitting up. I took the box off so that it had access to it's water and food. It didn't eat right away but later it did. Three days later you would never know the poor dear was on it's death bed. You might try it. I worked for me.

 

[azhenhouse]

No, he is gone. Been in the same position all day. My son is home from school, and wants to bury him in the backyard. He is out digging a spot for him now. Hope he can find some unfrozen ground.

I still have the one not eating. Do you all think she will be OK? She drinks some but is not eating. I have tried feeding with a syringe but it's not working.

 

[Miss Lydia]

when trying to force feed or drink you have to be very careful that it doesn't go down the wrong hole into their lungs..so sorry for your loss,

 

[azhenhouse]

Well, this is not how we wanted to start our duck raising adventures. Our weak girl just died. Now the sole survivor is chirping, looking for a friend. I put in a stuffed duck in for her but it doesn't chirp back. Will she be OK until next week when the other ducks come or should I drive the eight hour trip to Phoenix to get a friend? We have an app for our iPod with duck sounds should I use it? I really don't know what to do anymore. I hope next weeks delivery will be better. If not, ducks were not meant for us.


Edited to ask: I read somewhere that when you first get them you should't hold them too much. Think we should hold her since she is all alone, or let her rest?

 

[pirtykitty]

do you have a little mirror you can put in with her along with the stuffed duck???
I would also let her rest. is she eating yet???

 

[DuckLover179]

Quote:
HOLD HER! I held mine since they were born, it is very important especially since she is alone. You should spend a lot of time with her, so she isn't lonely. I'm not sure why all of this is happening to you, I mean I wasn't expecting mine to last this long, but they were troopers and I thought yours would make it. Anyway NONE of this is your fault, they were just too weak to survive it. she should be fine until the other ducks come, as long as you spend hours at a time with her. Trust me, the next batch will be fine. Metzer's has very few mistakes and I'm sure they will survive the ride over to see your duckling girl! You can use the app, but I'm not sure she will believe it's real. Try whistling, mine LOVE that! I'm praying for you, your duckling girl, and the next batch!

ETA: A mirror is a GREAT idea!

 

[cfdf]

I am sorry you lost your duckies! Sometimes, even though we try our hardiest, it just beyond our control. You did everything you could do for those duckies. On the positive side you still have one duckie left. Are there any Tractor Supplies or feed stores in your area that will be getting ducks soon? Check around and see. Then, you could go get one to keep the one you have company until your new shipment arrives. I have heard of people putting dust feathers in with their chickens to keep a loner from feeling alone. Maybe try that. I think talking to the duck and checking out in today is a great idea. Maybe shouldn't handle it too much today. It has probably been stressed out enough for one day. Then, tomorrow if it is eating and looking good handle it a little more. It will probably become your best friend and you it's best friend. Good luck with your baby. I hope all goes well with it.