How To Save A Dying Baby Duck? 4 Instant Steps To Be Taken!

Honestly speaking, saving a dying duck isn’t easy, especially if they’re attacked by predators and injured badly. Their immune isn’t that strong. But it’s not impossible.

So, how to save a dying baby duck? First, notice the signs of serious trouble. It might be a lack of interest in eating, refusal to fly, obesity, and intense itching. If the notice arises, isolate the duck and ensure proper food and safety. Try to reduce their stress and show them supportive care. However, if they’re injured, contact a vet immediately or at least give them pain relief tablets.

However, I’ll talk about more in this article to save the baby ducks. I’ll discuss how to feed them that medicine in case you don’t know. So do not worry.

How to Save a Dying Baby Duck? 4 Symptoms of Death!

Before jumping into a discussion, Knowing how to recognize that they’re dying is important. A variety of signs may indicate that they’re in serious trouble. A few symptoms of dying baby ducks are as follows:

1. Lack of Interest in Eating

Watch out for any unusual eating habits. A dying duckling might eat very little, eat strangely, or not eat at all. Pay attention if it is not interested in food.

2. Refusal to Fly

If the duckling is potentially dying, it may not want to fly. This is because flying can be too stressful for them when they are not feeling well. They conserve energy by avoiding unnecessary movement.

3. Weight Fluctuation

Keep an eye on the duckling’s weight. If it is not eating enough, it may lose a lot of weight. On the other hand, if it is eating excessively or strange things, it might gain weight unusually fast. Baby ducks should have a healthy weight between 30 to 40 grams in their early weeks.

4. Intense Itching

If the duckling is sick or dying, it may scratch itself a lot with its feet beak. Itching can be irritating, and excessive scratching can lead to rashes and scars.

Remember, these are just some signs to look for. If you suspect your duckling is in distress, it is essential to consult a veterinarian. An expert for proper care and advice can also be enough.

4 Instant Steps to Take While Your Ducks Are Dying

If you see your baby ducks are dying, here are some simple steps immediately:

1. Isolation

Separate the sick ducklings from the healthy ones. Put it in a quiet, comfortable, and warm place away from the draft and other animals. This helps prevent the spread of illness.

2. Identification

Try to figure out what might be wrong with the sick baby duck. Look for symptoms like not eating, unusual behavior, or physical injuries. Knowing what’s going on can help with the next steps.

3. Stress Relief

Keep the environment calm and peaceful. Avoid loud noises and disturbances. Stress can make things worse, so make sure the duck is as relaxed as possible.

4. Food and Water

Offer clean and fresh food and water. Ducklings can get dehydrated when they are sick, so it is important to keep them hydrated. You should encourage the duck to drink by gently dipping its bill into the water. According to some experienced duck owners sugar water might be handy in this situation.

The following video can be helpful for you!

What If My Ducks Are Injured And About to Die? 

Providing them with pain relief medicine might help. It’s when you see they’re seriously injured by the predators, or you should see a sign of pain. Especially if they’re attacked by a predator, medication might be needed. Here’s how to do it. 

1. Step 1 – Dissolve Tablets: Get aspirin tablets from a drugstore. Dissolve five tablets in a gallon of clean water. Make sure the tablets are completely dissolved.
2. Step 2 – Mix Well: Stir the water thoroughly to make sure the aspirin is well-mixed. This will create a solution that can help relieve the duck’s pain.
3. Step 3 – Offer the Solution: Gently offer the duck this solution during her illness. Use a clean container or a syringe to carefully give it to her. Be patient, and make sure to drink it willingly.
4. Step 4 – Monitor: Keep an eye on your baby duck’s condition. If you notice any adverse reactions or if her condition worsens, stop giving her aspirin solution and seek help from a veterinarian.

Another alternative medicine can be provided if your duck is experiencing foot pain. You can also try an Epsom salt bath. Here’s how to do it. 

1. Prepare the Bath: Fill a shallow container with warm water. Make sure it’s not too hot, just comfortably warm.
2. Add Epsom Salt:  Add Epsom salt to the warm water. Stir it gently until it dissolves. Epsom salt can help relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
3. Let Her Float:  place your duck in the warm Epsom salt bath and let her float for a short while. Be there to ensure her safety and that she does not drink the water.
4. Dry Her Gently: After the bath, carefully dry your ducklings with a soft towel. Make sure she’s completely dry before putting her back in a warm, dry, and safe place.

Remember, while these methods may provide some relief, it is essential to consult with a veterinarian for proper diagnosis and guidance on pain relief for your duck.

Related Reading: Types Of Duck Predators You Should Be Aware

8 Reasons Why Do Baby Ducks Die Suddenly

Why do ducks die suddenly? Well, there’s no particular reason that I can mention this causes sudden death in ducks. But some factors might lead them to death simultaneously.  Here are the causes that may cause your ducks to die suddenly: 

1. Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) or Duck Viral Enteritis ( DVE): These are diseases that can strike ducks suddenly and cause rapid death. They are highly contagious among baby ducks.
2. Stress: Ducks can be sensitive to changes in their environment or routine. Stress from factors like overcrowding, loud noises, or sudden changes can lead to sudden deaths.
3. Drawing:  Ducks are natural swimmers, but sometimes they can get trapped or caught in water bodies or ponds, leading to drowning.
4. Heat Strike:  Ducks can overheat in hot weather, especially if they don’t have access to shade or cool water. Heat stroke can be fatal for ducklings if not addressed promptly.
5. Ascites (Water Belly): This condition occurs when fluid accumulates in the duck’s abdomen, making it hard for them to breathe. It can be caused by various health issues.
6. Heart Failure: Ducks, like any other animals, can suffer from heart problems that might lead to sudden death. It’s if their heart can’t pump blood effectively.
7. Blood Clot: Blood clots can block blood vessels, preventing blood flow to vital organs. This can happen suddenly and result in the duck’s death.
8. Chocking or Suffocation: Ducks can accidentally ingest objects or food that can block their airways, causing chicking or suffocation.

What to Do If I Found a Massively Injured Baby Duck?

If you come across a struggling duckling, you should take immediate action. Of course, you have to contact a wildlife expert as early as possible. But if you haven’t enough time to manage a vet instantly, what should you do? Here it is: 

1. For a quick energy boost, give them water mixed with sugar. Gently put it on their tongue.
2. Experts prefer to feed them duckling-specific food. But if you don’t have duck feed, give them finely chopped eggs with shells as a source of calcium. However, crumbled bread, cottage cheese, oatmeal, and chopped greens can also be offered.
3. Give the duckling fresh, clean water, but make sure it’s in a very shallow dish. Baby ducks are little and can accidentally drown in deep water.

Note: In the meantime, do contact a vet as soon as possible. They’ll assess their condition and suggest further necessary steps to help them recover from trauma.

Related Readings:

• Ducks Recovering From Niacin Deficiency
• Ways To Treat A Duck Wound
• 13 Essential First Aid Supplies For Ducks

Bottom Line

To save a dying duckling, you have to immediately separate them from the group and ensure food and fresh water for them. Reduce their stress and keep them in a clean environment. If they’re injured, you may offer pain relief medicines to them, although it’s discouraged if you don’t have vet approval. But in case of extreme emergency, you may do it!

If your pet birds show certain symptoms, such as a lack of appetite and being obese, you should take it seriously. You never know they’re sick and might be dying inside. Ensure proper care and vet examine your sick duck and separate them from the flock.

Source And Reference:

• http://extension.msstate.edu/content/solutions-and-treatments#