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May 31, 2004

Duckling In Trouble

I just happened to catch the mama and ducklings feeding under the tree. The last few times I've seen them I've noticed that one of the ducklings is a bit of a runt. Well today, the runt duckling - whom I have christened "Homer" for no explicable reason - was staggering around while feeding. Occasionally Homer would plop down for no real reason, and then when the ducklings/mother headed back down to the pond, Homer was way, way behind.

I remembered reading something about ducklings that staggered around, and I just found it again: "Ducklings are also extremely fragile, easily chilled and can be injured due to overhandling. An improper diet can rapidly lead to hypoglycemia. A very young duckling that is staggering or appears "drunk" is hypoglycemic and will die unless it is provided with some source of sugar. "

I'm not sure why this one duckling seems to be sick, and the other seven look healthy and strong. But now I'm debating whether or not Homer needs an intervention. When the family was heading back to water Homer was a good 10-feet behind. If there are predators around, it's going to be picked off easily.

Posted by Highwaygirl on May 31, 2004 01:10 PM to the category Animals
Comments

Do you think a shallow bowl of sugar-water at their feeding location would work?

Posted by: lifeonhold at May 31, 2004 09:43 PM

That might work, Life. I observed Homer again last night and he didn't look as bad off as he did in the morning. There's got to be some underlying reason why he's so much smaller than his siblings, though.

Posted by: Highwaygirl at June 1, 2004 06:16 AM

HI YES I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AT THE MOMENT BUT MINE ARE PETS AND THIS IS THE THIRD BATCH OF DUCKS THAT HAS ONE RUNT WHICH SEEMS TO SLOWLY DETERIATE WITHIN A THREE WEEK PERIOD AND DIE.
I ALSO HAVE TRIED THE SUGER/GLUCOSE THERAPY, ISOLATION AND WARM PADS TO NO AVAIL. IVE SUSPECTED WORMS AND TREATED THE MOTHER DUCK BEFORE CONCEPTION BUT IM AT A LOSS AS WELL. MAYBE ITS LIKE THE SICK PUPPY SYNDROME (SUSPECTED BACTERIAL INF FROM THE BITCH). IF YOU FIND ANY HELP ID LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU?
CHEERS MARNEN.

Posted by: marnen at June 22, 2005 07:21 PM
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