What's wrong with my duck?

Question

My dad bought 4 baby ducks that were hatched on 6/9/08 and they came here last Thursday so we've had them for a week. All of a sudden, the pekin duck is sick. We came in the barn to find that it could not move or even open its beak. We found it in the water, just sitting there not moving. Its not dead though, because it can still make chirping noises and it still blinks. Please help! Its my little sister's duck, and I'd feel so bad if it died.

P.S. My dad thinks its shock because we've been handling the ducks, but I don't think it is.

Answer 1

Your duck is f*&^cked.

It is still alive, you might try taking it to a vet. Getting an animal requires that you take care of them, especially when they are sick.

If you cannot afford to take care of a sick animal, you cannot afford to have one at all.

They are not toys, but living creatures who want to live well, as much as you do.

Overhandling can cause them to die. But  your dad could have preventedit, by not allowing you to bother them so much. You could have had shown care for them yourself.

What do you think it is? Are you a duck expert?  Why not find out for sure. Why not listen to your dad?

Answer 2

baby ducks need heat and very little handling . chick starter food.when they are held make sure it's gentle.good luck on your learning experience.keep in mind that some ducks just die and it may not be anyones fault.

Answer 3

because he is quacked

Answer 4

um u might wnt to take it to the doctor

Answer 5

Have you had the ducks under a heat lamp? That is a necessity when raising ducklings without their mother.

The fact that the duck was in water sets off alarm bells for me. Are you allowing them to swim unsupervised, or is their water dish large enough for them to get into? That could definitely be the problem.

My guess is that the duck has pneumonia due to getting chilled. Ducklings cannot swim freely the way ducks can, they do not have the proper oils in their down feathers. They become soaked, and the water gets cold, causing THEM to get cold. If you don't have a heat lamp on them, this effect will be even more extreme.

Take this duckling to an avian vet ASAP.

Answer 6

CALL THE VET!!! I really have no knowledge on ducks at all, besides like the others have said,keep warm,do not handle too much, proper food, when your dad got them didn't they tell him anything,or did he ask ANY questions about raising them????wow, they are alive, not stuffed toys so there should have been some kind of prep,where's your mom?????please ask for help before they ALL get sick or you know............