NewJourney
Songster
Stupidly, I bought some chicks and ducklings from someone near me. I realize now it was a "backyard breeder" situation and I should have avoid the situation. What's done is done.
I bought 6 Old English Game Bantams in varying stages of age (something like 1 week through 4 weeks of age) and 4 ducklings, three of which have major bald patches and are younger than the last, from different parents. I was told they hatched that way and that they are called "naked neck ducks" - like the naked neck chicken breed. The older duckling that seems to be a Khaki Blue Swedish mix. Cute as can be, looks and acts normal. (pictures at the end of the post)
The three tiny OEGB had failure to thrive and have passed as did one of the "naked neck" ducklings which seemed to have wry neck.
I figured it out too late, but I'm not sure it could have been saved anyway. By the time I managed to get Selenium and Vit E drops delivered (none were available locally) it had already died, earlier that morning. I treated the two other siblings that seemed like they might have a slight wry neck starting and after a few treatments I no longer notice any issue with them other than their baldness.
My questions regarding the ducks are:
1. What would cause the balding issue in freshly hatched ducklings?
2. How common is this?
3. Should I be supplementing any specific nutrient or types of foods to help with this feathering issue?
4. Is there a known "disease" or other kind of health condition where this patchiness happens? If so, what else tends to coincide with it? In other words - what should I be doing to help the health of these strange babies?
I see no evidence of mites or skin irritation except perhaps from the red heat lamp they have access to. The heat lamp is a 75 watt red heat bulb. Their area is large enough they can easily get away from the lamp if they like. I'm currently building an outdoor enclosure for the three remaining OEGB and these ducklings.
I will be keeping these two bald ones separated from my main flock. Depending on if the KC/Blue Swedish mix grows and acts normally I may introduce it to my flock but only if it's a hen, not a drake. I already have 4 drakes. I have no idea yet if these three ducklings are male or female. These special ducklings are only a week or so old. I will give them the best life I can, until they decide they can't continue. I consider these birds rescues, more like pets, than my other chickens and ducks simply because of what seems to be poor genetics. I've not had losses or issues like this before, so this is largely concerning to me.
Thank you for your input.
Duckling 1:
Duckling 2:
KC/Blue Swedish mix(?):
It did NOT like me handling it for photos.
I bought 6 Old English Game Bantams in varying stages of age (something like 1 week through 4 weeks of age) and 4 ducklings, three of which have major bald patches and are younger than the last, from different parents. I was told they hatched that way and that they are called "naked neck ducks" - like the naked neck chicken breed. The older duckling that seems to be a Khaki Blue Swedish mix. Cute as can be, looks and acts normal. (pictures at the end of the post)
The three tiny OEGB had failure to thrive and have passed as did one of the "naked neck" ducklings which seemed to have wry neck.
I figured it out too late, but I'm not sure it could have been saved anyway. By the time I managed to get Selenium and Vit E drops delivered (none were available locally) it had already died, earlier that morning. I treated the two other siblings that seemed like they might have a slight wry neck starting and after a few treatments I no longer notice any issue with them other than their baldness.
My questions regarding the ducks are:
1. What would cause the balding issue in freshly hatched ducklings?
2. How common is this?
3. Should I be supplementing any specific nutrient or types of foods to help with this feathering issue?
4. Is there a known "disease" or other kind of health condition where this patchiness happens? If so, what else tends to coincide with it? In other words - what should I be doing to help the health of these strange babies?
I see no evidence of mites or skin irritation except perhaps from the red heat lamp they have access to. The heat lamp is a 75 watt red heat bulb. Their area is large enough they can easily get away from the lamp if they like. I'm currently building an outdoor enclosure for the three remaining OEGB and these ducklings.
I will be keeping these two bald ones separated from my main flock. Depending on if the KC/Blue Swedish mix grows and acts normally I may introduce it to my flock but only if it's a hen, not a drake. I already have 4 drakes. I have no idea yet if these three ducklings are male or female. These special ducklings are only a week or so old. I will give them the best life I can, until they decide they can't continue. I consider these birds rescues, more like pets, than my other chickens and ducks simply because of what seems to be poor genetics. I've not had losses or issues like this before, so this is largely concerning to me.
Thank you for your input.
Duckling 1:
Duckling 2:
KC/Blue Swedish mix(?):
It did NOT like me handling it for photos.
