Friday, July 31, 2009

Help me save my ducklings, please?

I have a mixed assortment of ducklings. We have kept them inside waiting for warm weather. They are fed and watered regularly and are allow to swim often. They have done well for several weeks but in the last 3 days 4 have died. 3 found dead in the morning or afternoon when we go to refresh the water and one after swimming on the pond on a warm day. The ones that have died did show signs of being a little wobbly shortly prior to expiring. Any ideas what is causing this? What can I do to save the other duckings? How warm does it have to be before I can put them out on the pond full time?
Answers:
Are you usung medicated feed?? If you are thats your problem.
im no expert on birds of ducks (although i do know several m8s who care for them) but i think that you should let them out more often. take them to the vet and tell them what is happening, they could help, maybee even look after them for a bit to get them a bit better. just keep your chin up! no worries Hun XXXXXX
ive actually had a duck before and you know those vitamin pills for kids that they chew, crush those up and put half of the crushed up tablet in their water everyday, and make sure you bring them out once in a while, even if it means putting the box outside for about 15 min. each day so they get some sunlight. make sure not to touch it too much!! TRUST ME IT WORKS
I wish I could help. Call a vet or a farm vet.
The most common problems we have with our ducks at the sanctuary come from two things: Calcium deficiencies and bacteria. If they're young, they probably don't suffer from the first. But if they aren't...

If your ducks are female, do they lay eggs at all? Constant egg laying means they need a constant source of calcium to make up for the loss in the eggs. Calcium powder sprinkled on their food or tablets crushed and then sprinkled often work.

The problem with bacteria can't easily be solved outright but can be avoided in the long run. Bleach and then rinse their pool daily. In nature, the entire ecosystems of the ponds, lakes and streams do this naturally; in captivity, they need some help.

Also, be sure they get plenty of natural sunlight. All the drugs in the world don't always help as much as direct sunlight. They use the light to process vitamins in their systems.

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