whats wrong?

[Lori351121]

So last night we put our three week old ducklings in with our six week old ducks. They had been together in the yard together for over a week with just a little chasing. When we went out this morning to let then out, two of them were acting funny. They just lay there and their heads Bob up and down but they won't move. Whem we picked them up they acted startled but then .just sat there with their heads jerking back and.forth. one of them drank a l:ittle but their still sitting and jerking. What could have happened and what can I do foe them? Gonna try to attach a video.

 

[jdywntr]

There is a big difference in size between 3 and 6 week olds. The older could have beat up the younger.

What were your temps last night? Do they have supplemental heat? Is there a light?

A number of things could have happened. Chilling. Trampling after panicking in a new area. Etc. More info may help.

 

[Lori351121]

It was very warm. We live in sc and night temps were around 75.

 

[jdywntr]

Okay. I'm in N Alabama and we got down to 55 last night.

Did they go from a light on to no light? Ducklings/ducks will sometimes panic in a new environment and in the dark can trample each other.

I'd seperate the youngsters for now. If they start acting "normal" maybe try leaving them at night with the others but in a seperate area/crate so that they are together but without interaction.

I've always used a light (not necessarily a heat lamp) to transition babies raised indoors to the night. I set up a timer and have it go off for short periods the first night and then lengthen the time over a few days until they are without light. I lost a few young chickens a while back on their first night out due to them panicking and getting caught in fencing.

 

[Lori351121]

The old pen for babies was right next to big pen. They haven't had light at night in a while. Its been four hours and no change in behavior

 

[Amiga]

What are they eating? I would put vitamins and electrolytes in their water. If they are younger, they may have fewer feathers, and I suppose could have been bitten by something during the night.

They could be sensitive to low niacin in the feed, depends on the feed.

 

[Lori351121]

Just an update..they are both fine now...guess big ducks harassed them all night and they were exhausted. Thanks for the input

 

[Amiga]

So they are going to have their own space for a while? Thanks 1,000,000 for letting us know how they are.