Duckling having fits and the solution.

[Lincolnshirelass]

Just wanted to share a bad thing that happened, and the solution I found, in case it happens to anyone else...

I've incubated lots of hen eggs, but when I had a broody bantam in February, my friend offered me some fertile call duck eggs. I've not got any ducks, so I thought I'd give it a go. The broody was a bit hit and miss, but one duck came out, and I managed to finish off another four in the incubator.

From the get-go two of them had really obvious problems - couldn't walk and kept flipping onto their backs and windmilling their legs around. Despite our best efforts, they faded and died on day three. We still had three that seemed good and healthy.

Things have gone fine from there, and now they've got their feathers I've moved them outside, where they are having a grand old time. Apart from on Saturday, when the smallest mallard call-duck started falling over, fitting and windmilling it's legs around. Uh-oh.

After a lot of research and a bit of trial and error, it would appear to be a meat-protein deficiency. I've been feeding them on organic crumb recommended for both chicks AND ducks, and whilst it doesn't have the duck-damaging cocciostats (sp?), it also doesn't have enough protein for growing ducks who aren't getting the odd slug and bug as they would be in the wild. When I thought this might be the problem, I dashed out and bought a tin of catfood, which they have polished off like there was no tomorrow. They ate it with the kind of enthusiasm that makes me think they were deficient in something that was in the catfood.

Before the catfood treatment, Chocolate Drop (I know, my daughter named her!) couldn't walk and was shaking continually and fitting every two to three minutes. After the catfood, she's bouncing around like her old self :-) I think they are almost big enough for proper duck food, so it won't be for long, but I just wanted to mention it in case anyone had similar problems whilst on the organic crumb!

[JulieSherris]

Now then, THIS is interesting.....

I've been hatching duck eggs - we have a cayuga drake & 4 mixed colour ducks - so far, so good. 98% hatch rate & most of the ducklings have been just grand.

Then we have a Muscovy drake & 3 ducks... hmm.. not so good. I have hatched just 2 of these & both have died. The last one looked like it was having a fit & pretty much as you describe - maybe Muscovies need that little bit more 'oomph' in their diet then?
So for the next Muscovies to hatch, I shall try & supplement their diets - thank you very much!

[Gert]

that's a hard way to learn something, thanks for sharing.

[Bonniegirl]

A couple of possibilities here:

http://www.lifestyleblock.co.nz/vforum/ ... p?p=217740