Register or log in:

Farming Friends Forum » Ducks

Indian Runner Ducklings

(12 posts)

  1. bella
    Member

    I have an Indian Runner who has been sitting for the last 28 days. I wasnt even convinced any of them would go broody, but one took to it almost immediatley.
    Any way, two eggs have hatch earlier this evening. One duckling is full of movement and noise with its eyes open. The other, although alive, seems weaker, quieter and has had some blood leaking. Is there anything I can do to help the weaker one or is it just a case of letting nature take its course?
    Ive been so excited and almost unable to sleep waiting for today - I will be devastated if any dont make it.

    Ps what a very helpful website with some great advice. thanks

    Posted 1 year ago #

  2. Lorna
    Member

    Hi Bella,
    Sorry to hear about the weak duckling. I know that boiled sugar water (cooled) dropped into the beak can strengthen them.

    I read in a book on incubation that if the navel is slightly unhealed to disinfect it and put in seperate brooder from rest of hatch. Might be worth a try.

    Hope things improve
    Regards
    Lorna

    Posted 1 year ago #

  3. Mama
    Member

    Hope to hear more good news and the little weak one has now recovered it's strength.Mama

    Goose Girl
    Posted 1 year ago #

  4. bella
    Member

    Hi Lorna & Mama,

    Well by this morning I had 3 ducklings hatched (still one to go). The weak was looking a lot better, but still not as strong or stable on its feet as the other two. My 4 year old daughter has called her Jelly as he/she is quite wobbly, and one of her legs doesnt look very strong. Im keeping a close eye. Tomorrow I may try the sugured water.
    I have put some duck crumbs in a bit of water in the hutch for them, but they dont seem that interested in eating - unless I literally shove it under their beaks. Is this normal at this early stage?
    Mum hadnt been out for a couple of days so I forced her out this afternoon for a stretch of her legs etc, then put a bowl of worms
    and slugs in for her which she ate rapidly.

    Posted 1 year ago #

  5. Mama
    Member

    It's early days yet and the ducklings don't need to eat as they are still absorbing the yolk sack so don't worry .Mum knows best as long as you have chick crumb and water in the house she will show them what to eat and how to drink .Love the name jelly ,how sweet and the hope leg problem will be ok and it picks up soon .Leave mama to it she will do just fine. Look forward to the next update .Mama

    Goose Girl
    Posted 1 year ago #

  6. bella
    Member

    Hi Mama

    Well, I have to say, what an improvement. So much so that I find it hard to decide which one is Jelly now! amazing transformation.
    I think mum has almost given up on the other egg though which is a shame. I candled it yesterday and thought it would have pipped during the night, however this morning the egg was only luke warm and have just candled again but cant see any movement. Would mum need to sit on it right to the very end?
    Thanks for your help. Although Ive kept ducks a number of years this is the first time Ive let any eggs hatch.

    Posted 1 year ago #

  7. Mama
    Member

    Yet more good news just lovely,yes she would have to sit to pipping and hatching out.Worth leaving it for another day though but she may well have lost interest.Could you not hear anything either? What a shame but at least you have the others. Well done .Mama

    Goose Girl
    Posted 1 year ago #

  8. bella
    Member

    Hi Mama,

    No I couldnt hear anything either. So pleased Jelly made it but still sad that one was so close and dont think has made it. I am going to leave it another day.
    Im so chuffed I want to do it all again! I just dont really have the space for any more though so it wouldnt be fair.

    Posted 1 year ago #

  9. Mama
    Member

    Oh yes Bella such great news and if it isn't to be sad as it is you do have the other lovelys.Yes first time and we are all hooked line and sinker .Mama

    Goose Girl
    Posted 1 year ago #

  10. bella
    Member

    My beautiful Indian Runner Ducklings are just over a week old and today I seem to have made such a sad sad mistake. The weather was fine and the sun shining for the first time in days, so I decided to let them out for a run around with their mum. I was in the garden most of the time, just sorting out stuff in the shed and keeping my eye on them. I must have come indoors for all of 5 mins to get something, and when I get back, one duckling has vanished, and Im so very upset as it my daughters and my favourite one.
    Soooo, my question is where did it go? No cats in the garden. Mother duck didnt seem upset, worried or stressed and no signs of any foul play. I have in my hunt, seen a rat this evening. Would a rat really be able to take it from its mums side, kill it then drag it away without a sound from mother duck? I just dont get it and Im very angry with myself!

    Posted 1 year ago #

  11. Mama
    Member

    Don't be angry with yourself and yes a rat could take a duckling or maybe a bird of prey .So sorry for you and all and hope the rest will stay safe .Mummy duck will not be sad as she has others to think about as do you .Sad you have lost one though .Mama

    Goose Girl
    Posted 1 year ago #

  12. bella
    Member

    Ive been told this afternoon that it was probably a magpie, we do seem to have alot of them around. Ive been down the garden today with my air rifle! I will get the rat - one day and maybe the magpie too!!! Still very sad that I did such a daft thing. It was little Jelly that got taken.

    Posted 1 year ago #

RSS feed for this topic

Reply

You must log in to post.