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

[Peeko]

I've got a straw to grasp at:

Granulated sugar has changed recently. It used to be cane or beet sugar for the most part, but now there is GMO beet sugar that has glyphosate in it...maybe these little guys got a dose of herbicide they couldn't handle. It's safe for humans according to Monsanto, but I guarantee no testing on Roundup Ready beet sugar has been done on ducklings, until possibly now...

Sugar wouldn't be labeled GMO or not. To avoid it, you'd have to use cane sugar.

 

[missnu01]

I've got a straw to grasp at:

Granulated sugar has changed recently. It used to be cane or beet sugar for the most part, but now there is GMO beet sugar that has glyphosate in it...maybe these little guys got a dose of herbicide they couldn't handle. It's safe for humans according to Monsanto, but I guarantee no testing on Roundup Ready beet sugar has been done on ducklings, until possibly now...

Sugar wouldn't be labeled GMO or not. To avoid it, you'd have to use cane sugar.

And now sugar is sugar. The GMO beet sugar doesn't have to e labeled as such. The FDA says the beet sugar can just be called sugar. So now you have to look for cane sugar if that is what you want...sucks.

 

[Snownoir]

I'm so happy you guys have something cute and fuzzy to love on. They'll be great as adult ducks too. Ducks are SO fun!

I'm also sorry for the loss and heartache you went through to get to his point.

 

[LovedMyAlydar]

You mentioned that at first you had sawdust down. If you had sawdust and not pine flakes, they probably ingested the sawdust thinking it was food and it swelled with water intake, blocked them up and killed them.

I have always been told to use the large flake shavings, not even the fine with baby ducks, chicks, geese or they will eat them.

 

[bearstrains]

Hi,
with ducks you need to be careful that they don't blot on too much water when you get them,with shipping stress they can be overly thristy so start them out on water for 5 min then take the water away for 15 min,repeat for first hour.
bear

 

[NorCalDucks]

Just wanted to update that Metzer gave us the option of a second shipment or full refund with no hassles, we chose to refund and got it in a timely manner. We plan on ordering from them again when these two are out of the brooder. Still happy growing guys
[VIDEO]

 

[bribre]

Your kids look vary happy too. Glad it work out in the end!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Very sweet.

 

[blondiebee181]

I just read through this whole thread, I'm sorry for your losses OP, but happy that you have a couple going strong! That is so wierd about Metzers ducks....I got 2 Runners from them last July and the girls had 0 problems...and they shipped a ways too as I live in Idaho...I think things just happen sometimes unfortunately but I am glad everything was handled well. Just throwing out what I used in my brooder in case it gives you some good ideas...

I used a large cardboard box from work because we get lots of them, a single box was about 2X3 feet probably and I added an additional box at about 3 weeks of age.
I used non-cedar wood pellet bedding. It is super absorbent, the duckies don't eat like they sometimes do with shavings and they smell nice.
I used a GE red heat lamp bulb, but I found the duckies relied on it less earlier than my chicks because ducks get super downy and fat more than chickens. I have heard of the the teflon scare....be aware that some cooking pans use teflon too and if there isn't sufficient ventilation between the area they are kept and the kitchen that can affect the air quality.
They ate Purina Flock Raiser crumble (of coure never give medicated feed to duckies) and tap water.
They went for their first swim within the first week, but the water was only knee deep on them and plenty warm, I always towel them off after.
I have heard people use plastic brooders okay, but I certainly would be careful with the heat lamp near a plastic box....
Of course if you want to give them treats always offer chick sized grit on the side for good digestion
I would lastly point out that ducks require a higher amount of Niacin in their diet than chickens so you may consider supplementing them with some...Good luck with your two and I hope your duck experience continues to get better!

 

[I gotDucks]

Yes, I have seen them dip their beaks in water when they arrive. I read they can't swallow without water.