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

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This just happened to me as well, I got 12 mallards from our local feed store, picked then up just as they were arriving from the post office. I got to my husbands shop (where they are staying until Easter) one had already died. As I was putting them in their brooder I watched there were a couple that weren't too spunky. I had called the feed store to let them know one died in transit and I would be back to get another. Well I ended up getting 2 more replacements because I knew deep down some wouldn't make it. Well just as I arrived back not 30 min later one flipped on his back kicked and died. Later I had 2 more die. So back to the feed store I went... They told me they had been having the same problem. I think they just got too cold during shipping, their shipment was due to arrive Wednesday as well (not from metzer) but didn't arrive until Thursday. Temps are a lot cooler this year than they have been so I've just been watching them closely. The 2 pekin I got from tractor supply the week before have done great, they however have to be in a seperate brooder as they trample and bully my little mallards. Anywho I just thought Id let you know you weren't alone and I hope your new babies do better :$
 
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Sometimes, it could be the genes or nutrition of the parents. Feed has really gone up this year and maybe, there has been subsitutes.
Don't use sawdust or shavings the first week, they will try to eat everything. I use a Rubbermaid for my babies and use old towels for a week. Also Dave Holderread suggest you give greens right away in water, tiny bits of lettuce or grass. Regular light bulbs a 60 or 100 is usually enough, make sure they can get away from the heat , and they will find their own sweet spot. I have gotten birds shipped 4 times from Holderreads in Washington or is it Oregon to Georgia and only lost 2 out of 45, and they sent an extra each shipment. I added the sugar too, for a day or two as his book says. Ducks are very sensitive to poisons or toxins, so who knows what may have happened in shipping. Ducks don't need all the vitamins and suppliments chickens get.... they are much hardier.
I suspect it may have been either something wrong at the breeders end, (anything from messed up food, to mutations, poor breeders perhaps, illness) or from the shipping. Holderreads puts your Phone # on the outside of the box , so they can call you when they come in to P.O. Also, he suggest you tell you P.O. you are expecting live birds and to call you right away. I have gotten up at 4 am to 'wait for the call' , and went right away, but they were there for a couple hours.
A tiny sprinkle of brewers yeast or niacin, if they are defiecent , but that usually shows up as weak legs a little later, also mashed green peas can provide it too.
 
We got two, week old runners at the farm store yesterday and I am happy to report that they are doing well :). We have decided to hold off on the bigger shipment until these guys are out of the brooder. They are adorable and I can't wait to introduce these ones to the kids!
 

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