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My Mother-in-law bought my four year old daughter (4) one day old pekins for Easter at a local feed store. She actually got them as the post man arrived with them. One died within a week and now the other 3 are sick. One in particular looks like his foot is paralyzed and he is not growing. He almost looks blind but he is eating and drinking. The others were doing well until this past weekend when they suddenly stopped eating and were having trouble walking. I believe she is feeding them rice and vegetables now because the wouldn't eat the duck food the feed store sold to them. I believe it was medicated. She purchased a heat lamp for them as well and 2 years ago they bought 2 other pekins and they had no problems at all. Might it be the ducks were just sick to begin with?

I appreciated any help I can get.

Hi,

Im sorry to hear that things ain't going to well.
Firstly try and get the ducklings to a Vet, also if you can take the dead duckling as well they may be able to find out the cause of death and be able to help the remaining ducklings.
Record the ducklings weight and amount of food eaten by each duckling if possible so you can keep an exact record, and show this to the Vet.

Keep the ducklings warm and dry. As for their diet, what food did the shop give you in the first place? Starter foods are the best, such as chickcrumb. Other foods such as mixed corns, grains, lettuce, grass, and small amounts of bread are good to try and feed them if they won't eat anything else.

Have you contacted the shop where you got the ducklings from?
Ask for their advice. And did the ducklings show any signs of illness while they were in the shops ownership. When you brought the ducklings did you get a guarantee? Some places don't except responsibility once an animal has left the shop, and i personally try to avoid buying animals from those places.

As for the duckling that you said might be blind, keep the eye clean and free from any possible discharge, and ask the Vet to examine it.
With all the ducklings handle them gently and calmly, and as little as possible incase the problem is internal.
I hope that your able to find out whats wrong quickly.

Can you let me know how you get on please? Thanks.
Mel X

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. Unfortunately, my mother-in-law called this morning and Ferinand the little duck that was lame died early this morning. I understand the 2 other remaining ducks are doing much better. She has stopped feeding them the food from the feed store for about a week now and they are improving. I read yesterday that ducks shouldn't be feed food w/ antibiotics since they are not carriers of diseases like chickens. I do not know how true this is but...

If it were up to me I would have them to the vet in a heartbeat, but it isn't and I will suggest it again.

I will call the feed store later and see if they have had any complaints about the lot of ducklings that came in.

Thank you again for all your advice and I will keep you updated.

AwWw Im sorry your lil duckling died, but atleast the other two are doing better.
I'm sure you are anyway, but make sure that their enclosure/pen is kept as clean as possible as awell as their food and water bowls. Also replace their food often (it may seem wasteful) but if they are ill due to a disease or an ifection, then it'll pay to keep the surroundings clean and fresh.
Taking the ducks to a Vet is something I would strongly recommend.
Maybe the ducklings inherited problems from their parents. Did you or anyone else the parents when the ducklings were brought?
Theres so many reasons why they could be ill, unfotunately.

Keep us posted please, Mel X