Why am I losng my babies??

[jksranch]

I had 10 runners from Holderread's. I lost 3 last Saturday. Then I just went out to feed and water everyone, 1 more dead. They are a month old in a 4X8x4 with 1/2 hardware wire all the way around brooder pen outside. They have a big pan of water and plenty of feed. They are on flock raiser with a mix of rolled oats, and cheerios. I give them grass clippings everyday. The dead ones have no marks on them that I can find, Every body looks and acts normal although they are in that don't touch me stage right now.

 

[Amiga]

mosquitoes? black flies? temperatures?

 

[jksranch]

it has been hot here but they are in the shade all day and it has been hotter than it is now. the mosquitos aren't bad here. No black flies.

 

[Amiga]

How hot is it in the shade?

The way to be sure of what killed them is a necropsy, and sometimes the state university will do that for free.

There are viruses that can be carried by flies and mosquitoes, they can overheat. Do they have a chance to bathe?

 

[duckyfromoz]

The grass clippings.... Where do they come from and how are they cut?


There has been debate about feeding lawn clippings cut by a lawn mower to animals- a second issue with them is the length they are cut to- and a third- if there is any chemical residue on the grass.

 

[jksranch]

They have a large tub to get in. that's where they stay when it's real hot outside. I have the pen next to a large pen of banties and there is one banty that has 6 little babies so I know it's not geting to hot, the baby banties are just fine only a week old.

 

[jksranch]

the grass clippings are from my yard. I pull them by hand and feed to everybody. I never use poisons or herbicides.

 

[Miss Lydia]

the grass clippings are from my yard. I pull them by hand and feed to everybody. I never use poisons or herbicides.

I know this isn't whats killing them but why cheerios?

 

[jksranch]

for the niacin Ifeed them to my geese as well.

 

[Miss Lydia]

for the niacin Ifeed them to my geese as well.

Seems Brewers yeast would be better since Cheerios has a lot of carbs and not sure how much carbs a duckling should have daily. Just a thought.