What is wrong with my poor duckling??? Advice needed!!

[ChristineR]

If you can't get waterfowl starter, gamebird starter is better than chick starter. You generally do not want medicated chick starter for ducks.

A really good book to answer all duck questions is Storey's Guild to Raising Ducks by Dave Holderread. I have it somewhere, but can't find it at the moment.

 

[Iain Utah]

The starter crumble they are on is un-medicated. I might be able to find gamefowl starter, but waterfowl is most likely impossible. Since they are two weeks now, would it be ok to mix a gamefowl or waterfowl grower with the starter crumble, in case the store has that in stock instead?

 

[ChristineR]

Yes, I think at 2 weeks it would be fine to switch them over to a grower.

 

[Iain Utah]

Ok... I am on a mission today to find better feed and hopefully nutri drench too. There are a few larger feed stores in the city (30+ miles away), but I will call around as soon as they open. I will also check with the referred avian vet office in the city... they may have product there too.

Thank you very much for taking the time to read about Twist's problems and offering suggestions for help!


UPDATE: I just did my morning check on Twist, and I see noticeable improvement!!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Ok... I am on a mission today to find better feed and hopefully nutri drench too. There are a few larger feed stores in the city (30+ miles away), but I will call around as soon as they open. I will also check with the referred avian vet office in the city... they may have product there too.

Thank you very much for taking the time to read about Twist's problems and offering suggestions for help!


UPDATE: I just did my morning check on Twist, and I see noticeable improvement!!!

 

[Iain Utah]

Lydia, you are sweet to continue to stay tuned in with Twist's ups and downs.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I am hear for ya, since reading your posts i know you love them like i do so just hoping Twist gets straightened out real soon.

Lydia, you are sweet to continue to stay tuned in with Twist's ups and downs.

 

[ChristineR]

A lot of feed stores will special order products that they don't keep in stock, too. It never hurts to ask!

I'm glad Twist is doing better! Those little guys work their way into your heart. I took one of my little ducklings to an avian vet once because he was having weird seizure-like symptoms. She gave him a vitamin shot and he never had another problem.

 

[Iain Utah]

I'm still striking out with finding anything at the stores for my ducklings. I went to two new feed stores today and the best I could find was the un-medicated starter crumble that they are on. The only vitamin supplement in stock at either place was an electrolyte/vitamin mix that was supposed to be for cows, goats and poultry. Salt was the primary ingredient. I did not buy it. I then tried to find brewer's yeast at the grocery store. No luck. Went to GNC, but it only had a monster size bottle of pills.

Christine, if I thought it would not stress Twist out too much, I would have already have taken her to the avian vet in the city. In fact, I did call my horse vet (who comes out to my place) in case she had any experience, and I would have happily have paid her to do a house call, but she said she unfortunately does not know anything about poultry. Yes, I'm nuts like that.

 

[duckyfromoz]

http://forum.backyardpoultry.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=7981274&start=0


Check this out Utah.

Interesting that that particular thread has come up here in this topic- I actually posted in it all those years ago when I had my first encounter with thiamine deficient ducklings. Twist doesnt look too bad in comparison to some I have seen. i have a fellow here at the moment who I have been looking after for a friend for a few months. He was unable to stand at all and to stop him flipping over he had to be held constantly. Now pretty much fully grown- he has a deformed neck- but can manage out on his own with the flock.

The multivitamin i use that is available here in Australia is for pigs poultry and pigeons- so dont worry too much if you can only find something that is for other animals as well - it is more important that little twist gets the extra boost. Electrolytes will be mostly salt- they are for dehydration- but a vitamin mix is what you want not electrolyte.

Is it only when he drinks now that you can see the problem? if so thats a good sing but you will have to watch close as they can improve- or go downhill fast. Keep trying to find some multivitamins- even something from a pet shop for caged birds like canaries or budgies could help. They are usually sold in a liquid form.

Keep up the good work. - Twist is lucky to have such a caring owner.