Shop Products
Houzz Logo Print
kelly1982ann

Duckling HELP!!!!!

kelly1982ann
13 years ago

I have many problems with my ducklings...I need help!!! About a week and a half ago 1 of my Welsh Harlequin ducklings started limping...I checked her out and there was no obvious injury. I had a neighbor come over (more qualified than me since these were my first) and she also saw nothing wrong. We both assumed a lack of vitamins because it seemed incapable of holding itself up.

A few days later 1 of my Cayugas had a seizure. It was on its back, neck tweeked and feet paddling. I also noticed it's eyes were a little crusty.

Well I read many places on line that both could be a vitamin deficiency, so I started giving a multi vitamin every time I filled up the water, and also 1/2 tablet of niacin once in the AM and once in the PM.

We are feeding them about 1/3 organic non medicated chick feed and 2/3 poultry feed at the moment

So the limping got slightly better but I was hoping for a lot better after 1 and a half weeks....I haven't seen another seizure but all 3 Cayugas seem to have the same crusty eyes now, and 1 is losing feathers in a pretty large area on her side....

Please tell me what's wrong...there seems to be never ending problems in the brooder!!!!!!!!!!!

More info...brooder is about 4x6 plywood box with 2x2 box attached. Ducks are 5 weeks old. I admit I'm a little bad at changine the litter since they mess it real bad overnight, so I change it like ever 5 days. I'm moving them to brand new chicken coop until brooding time is up (no birds in coop).

Is it the food?

The vitamins?

The lack of litter change?

Should I separate the limping Welsh Harleuquin and wounded Cayuga from the rest?

Please help I'm a first time duck mother and a worry wart!

Comments (4)

  • sumac
    13 years ago

    You didn't mention their water. Is it deep enough for them to get their head into (submerged)? They need to be able to get their whole head into the water in order to keep their eyes and nostrils clear.
    I would change this water every day. Fresh water is important.
    I would find a source for duck grower type chow. The protein and vitamins are formulated for waterfowl.
    Ducks are very messy (as you have learned) I would increase their pen size and use some thick straw bedding (away from the water) to assure they have a dry place to sleep.
    I would continue to read read read everything you can find on raising backyard ducks.
    Good luck with your ducks. They are alot of fun. Enjoy

  • goldenpond
    13 years ago

    EVERY HOW MANY DAYS???????
    there are too many pooping peeps in your little box and it is only going to get worse. I changed the straw THREE times a day. My pen wasin my garage but as they got older I made a day pen too. Now that they are grown they have a house a night pen and free roam during the day
    I agree with READING EVERYTHING you can!!!!!
    Put DUCKS in the search of this forum for old posts,there are many!!!!!
    Ducks do get plenty of foot and leg probs and messy bedding can add to it. Are you building a larger pen?
    I have two and a half acres plenty of ponds and creeks but when my flock reached 21 I realized it was too many to be clean and sold gave away etc til I only had 8 Everyone is happy and pen cleaning is so much easier!!!!!
    Good luck from another poopy pet peep lover!
    Tanya
    My peep pen from 2 doors and chip BOARDs(grandson never caught any with the net HAHA!
    {{gwi:48013}}
    {{gwi:48015}}

    The DAY pen for peeps
    {{gwi:48017}}
    {{gwi:48018}}

    The adult night pen and house
    {{gwi:48019}}

    The ducks sharing the pond with a flock of IBIS!
    {{gwi:48020}}

  • bulldinkie
    13 years ago

    You must watch how much protien you give them too much youll have leg problems.

  • oregonwoodsmoke
    13 years ago

    Ducks aren't supposed to get medicated chick feed. Switch them to something made for ducks.

Sponsored
Most Skilled Home Improvement Specialists in Franklin County