Update: Duckling pictures Edit: All dead :(. Help! My ducklings are all dying!

[Amarisus]

I have heard of the sugar water thing but vitamins and electrolytes in their water works better IMO . You mention they were in sawdust, what kind of wood was it from? Cedar can be toxic to young poultry.

 

[Going Quackers]

Good question, on the bedding!

 

[SD Bird Lady]

I did sugar also so that isn't what is doing it I don't think. For safety sake and since you are unsure I would just get a regular incandescent bulb like 60 or 75 watt. It should produce enough heat. Atleast then you can rule out the bulb.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I have heard of putting a tiny bit of sugar in their water when they first arrive but not 2 cups. and yes what kind of bedding was it?

 

[carcar80]

Going off the bedding/fume idea.. I assume they're on/near the floor. Are you using a type of gas heat in your house?

 

[FlaneryFlock]

Good lord. That much sugar was probably it.

 

[NorCalDucks]

So no on the sugar? I followed the instructions on the breeders website exactly for the amount of sugar. What exactly and how much exactly should I use for the water?

don't know off hand what sawdust, but it was what the local farm store uses and recommends for ducks.

I removed it though just in case and put that grippy shelf liner stuff down because I heard that was good, is it?

There is no heater being used currently.

so, at this point the brooder is cleaned out, although it was brand new to begin with. The feed and feeder is brand new. The waterer was new, but is cleaned again and rinsed well again. Is tap water, we all drink tap water. I will leave out the sugar and pick up whatever vitamins y'all suggest. I will take out the marbles. I will replace the brooding bulb with a regular one and continue to monitor the temp.

Anything else? I appreciate the help, feel so helpless.

 

[carcar80]

How is the remaining baby? I don't know on the sugar. I wouldn't think it would be inherently deadly but I truly wonder if that's a typo on their site. That's a LOT of sugar!

And to answer your questions, I used straight tap water, personally. If I had had any trouble I would've added vits or what have you, but with my first babies nothing but tap water. :shrug:

 

[desertdarlene]

Sorry you are going through this. I saw you contacted Metzer's. This is very unusual for them. Lethargic from shipping, yes, but not flipping over and dying. I hope they will replace them for you.

By the way, I don't think 2 cups of sugar per gallon of water would harm them in any way.

 

[Joe Prepper]

First off I am so sorry to hear what you are going through. I am no expert, but will offer a few ideas to toss into the mix.

First off, ducks need much less heat than chickens and those small plastic containers obsorb then radiate alot of heat from the heat lamps. I know you said there was room for the ducklings to get away, but.... I would say keep the light a foot away from the far end of the container...not over it.

Also I would consider not doing the sugar water for now. I think , based on what you said, it might be way to strong....there is also the possibility if you dissolved it in water using a teflon coated pan the water could be toxic. Better to eliminate it.

Take tap water and boil it in a non-teflon pan and let it cool to room temp, or better yet just use bottled spring water for now. Take you finger,dip it, and drip it on the ducklings bill if it is not drinking.

On the off chance that the plastic storage bin somehow is releasing a toxin when heated you might consider another container.

Check the ducklings rear end... sounds weird but chicks and ducklings can get clogged up and die from what is called "pasty butt". Without a mother or swimming source to keep em clean , they have to rely on us. This is a long shot....but if they were shipped and confined...maybe. If you see poops clogged up, clean it with a rag and warm water and check a couple of times a day....Good luck and don't give up. Those kids will love raising ducks...sometimes things just happen we can't control.