fishes
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« on: June 28, 2009, 05:49:33 pm » |
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I just found my second dead duckling. I had 16 and they free range in the yard. They get gamebird breeder ration plus all the bugs they can catch plus grass and whatever it is they find under leaves.
Both ducklings were found on their backs and both had empty crops. One was dead this morning. I saw the one that died this afternoon an hour or 2 before I found it dead. It seemed to walk funny but so little I wasn't sure what I was seeing. They were both in good condition and had all their breast and tail feathers. The remaining 14 all look good.
Could they be getting some kind of poisonous fungus from under the leaves? We just had hot humid weather and rain yesterday.
I moved the feed pan in case spilled feed is molding in the ground.
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Cathy
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« Reply #1 on: June 30, 2009, 02:55:09 pm » |
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It could be botulism - they are very susceptible.
What percentage protein is your breeder ration?
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The information I have provided in this message is based on my own personal experiences, the experiences of others who have shared their experiences and knowledge with me, and a dash of opinion thrown in for extra flavor. Your mileage may vary!  ) |
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fishes
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« Reply #2 on: July 02, 2009, 01:36:04 pm » |
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The breeder ration is 17% protein. They are free ranging so they are constantly eating (between naps) something.
A third one died the day after I posted. The rest look fine today.
It also had an empty crop but I did see it eating earlier in the day. It was also found on it's back.
I'm moving the feeders around now so that they are less likely to get into spilled feed that may have molded in the ground but they spend a good portion of the day digging into leaves and dirt.
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Cathy
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« Reply #3 on: July 15, 2009, 11:04:30 pm » |
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That percentage of protein might be higher than necessary but it doesn't worry me too much. How have your ducklings been doing lately?
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The information I have provided in this message is based on my own personal experiences, the experiences of others who have shared their experiences and knowledge with me, and a dash of opinion thrown in for extra flavor. Your mileage may vary! ) |
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fishes
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Posts: 27
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« Reply #4 on: July 18, 2009, 07:56:16 am » |
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They all look great. I think they got into something toxic. Possibly mushrooms since it rained just before they died.
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