Ducklings dying - PLEASE HELP!!

[Scotdotcom]

We rescued 9 ducklings we found wandering the streets in a local town and being stalked by cats. No mother duck was in sight although we searched everywhere. They must have been about 3 or 4 days old. We took them home and put them in a box overnight to make them comfortable. They have a heat lamp to keep them warm. Over the next 2 days we lost 5 of them because they were already dehydrated and cold beyond saving but 4 survived. Now they are about 12 to 14 days old but 2 of them have died in the last couple of days. We give them sieved chicken feed, apple (mashed), lettuce cut finely, tuna (a little every 3 days for a treat) and oats soaked in water. They seemed to be growing but the last 2 displayed signs of being in distress, staggering about as if drunk and falling over. At first we thought they were choking so we took them out and massaged their throats for a while and they seemed to recover, but a few hours later they were dead. I have checked their box for bloody stools (coccidiosis) but everything is clear. Their cage is cleaned every 1-2 days and has straw placed over newspaper (to absorb the water they throw about constantly). We change the water 3 times per day at least, sometimes more. It's just normal tap water.
We are really worried about the remaining 2 ducks and whether they will survive. We have raised many chickens and currently have 10 at our property but have never had such high mortality rates with chicks. Can anyone help us before it is too late...Please!!
Steve.

 

[cymbaline]

What about extra niacin? Ducklings can display leg trouble and neurological symptoms if they don't get enough, which is a common issue. Before I knew any better, I had a duckling that was pretty ill, even though his buddy was fine. I got some Sav-a-Chick from TSC (lots of vitamins and electrolytes) and it made a world of difference. Now I make sure to supplement any duck-baby's diet, just to be safe. Most people on here will recommend just buying niacin caplets from the store and mixing the powder in their food or water, or using brewer's yeast.
I'm not positive this is the solution to your problem, but it very possible and it definitely couldn't hurt.

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

It is possible they have coccidiosis even though you see no blood. However, i have read in many places not to give ducks the medicated chick starter. So i'm not sure what to do if that is the case. Can you take a fecal sample to a local vet for testing?

Personally, i think you are giving them too varied a diet. Were it me, i would give them plain flockraiser feed and maybe some mashed hard boiled eggs with a little bit of brewers yeast flakes on top. Make sure they have clean water.

Since they are wild ducks, you may want to consider contacting a wildlife rehab facility in your area. They may be better equipped to care for them and absorb the cost of any vet bills to keep them alive.

Good luck. i hope the little ones make it.

 

[Scotdotcom]

Thanks a lot Cymbaline, I'll add this to their food tonight and keep you posted on the progress. I sincerely appreciate your help!

 

[Scotdotcom]

It is possible they have coccidiosis even though you see no blood. However, i have read in many places not to give ducks the medicated chick starter. So i'm not sure what to do if that is the case. Can you take a fecal sample to a local vet for testing?

Personally, i think you are giving them too varied a diet. Were it me, i would give them plain flockraiser feed and maybe some mashed hard boiled eggs with a little bit of brewers yeast flakes on top. Make sure they have clean water.

Since they are wild ducks, you may want to consider contacting a wildlife rehab facility in your area. They may be better equipped to care for them and absorb the cost of any vet bills to keep them alive.

Good luck. i hope the little ones make it.

Thanks for the great and timely advice. We'll try the vet and see what he says and at the weekend when we go to our farm we'll look up our local wildlife rescue centre. My wife and I both work 12+ hours per day and are dedicating at least 2 hours per day to the ducklings. That and 5 kids takes up most of our time and what seemed like a humanitarian act in rescuing the ducklings from the hungry cats is turning into a heart wrenching episode. We'll stick to Niacin laced oat porridge and boil a couple of egg yolks and leave out the Cordon Bleu menu.
Your good wishes are much appreciated. Many thanks.
Steve.

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

It was very kind of you to take the ducklings in. Hope you do not feel too bad that some have died. It could be they are motherless because the mother had some sort of disease. You just don't know what all they were exposed to out in the wild. At least the ducklings that died did not lose their life in the jaws of a hungry cat, but in a warm brooder with food and company. Please let us all know what happens. i'm rooting for those last two.

 

[Scotdotcom]

It was very kind of you to take the ducklings in.  Hope you do not feel too bad that some have died.  It could be they are motherless because the mother had some sort of disease.  You just don't know what all they were exposed to out in the wild.  At least the ducklings that died did not lose their life in the jaws of a hungry cat, but in a warm brooder with food and company.  Please let us all know what happens.  i'm rooting for those last two.