The duckling does not grow: causes and what to do, preventive measures
The reason that the duckling does not grow at all can be either poor nutrition or some kind of illness. It is necessary to analyze all the factors sequentially, studying each separately. Do not forget about the balanced diet of the bird from the first days of life. Ducklings definitely need greens, mash, cereals, vitamins. As well as comfort - a special nursery (brooder), warmth and sufficient lighting.
Why do ducklings grow poorly
It happens that domestic duck chicks do not eat well, do not gain weight. In this issue, there is a clear specificity. The principles of feeding and the diet of ducklings are different from those of chickens.This must be remembered. In addition, chicks should not be kept in cold, drafty, damp rooms.
In nature, a duck feeds its young with grain, duckweed, fish - almost everything it finds. Greens are a must, this should be taken into account when breeding domestic ducks. Next, consider the likely causes, as well as solutions.
What to do when a problem occurs?
In order for ducklings to grow well, it is necessary to provide them with acceptable conditions from the very first days of life, as soon as they hatch. The chicks should dry immediately. To do this, a heating pad is placed in a box or box in which the ducklings will be kept. They arrange bedding so that the birds adapt faster, begin to gain weight.
Even in the poultry house there should be a drinking bowl with boiled (not raw!) Water: this is how ducklings learn to drink on their own. You can also force drink from a pipette. For about a couple of days, the chicks do not need enhanced nutrition, they rest, gain strength.
An equally important point is that ducklings should not be supercooled, climb into the drinker with their paws. Therefore, the design should exclude such behavior of chicks. Already in the first day, you can start feeding ducklings with grain, finely chopped chicken egg. Moreover, you need to feed the ducks from the palm of your hand, achieving the appearance of a reflex to self-feeding. The chicks also need greenery. The duck is given alfalfa, knotweed, clover, onions, even nettles.
The only condition: the food should be chopped up so that the chicks do not choke, do not damage the esophagus. At 7 days of age, ducks can be transferred to compound feed.
If, for some reason, newborns, grown-up chicks stop eating, grow poorly, you should pay attention to the following factors:
- containment conditions;
- diet composition;
- probable symptoms of disease.
After these reasons are studied, they begin to solve the problem.
Prevention measures
In order for ducklings to grow up he althy, strong, and not get sick, as many components as possible should be included in the diet. For example, these:
- compound feed;
- food waste;
- needles;
- boiled potatoes;
- fermented milk products;
- chicken eggs;
- duckweed;
- crushed shell;
- gravel (sand);
- chalk;
- dry nettle.
Meshanki are not prepared ahead of time, for several days. Mixtures quickly deteriorate, sour, therefore they are made up immediately before feeding.The number of meals - 6 times a day and more often. To exclude probable diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, a weak (pale pink) solution of potassium permanganate is prepared 2 times in 7 days. In the warm season, week-old ducklings are released onto the grass in a closed aviary. Chalk, crushed shells, sand (gravel) are also important components of the diet. And ducklings need them for normal digestion.
From the age of 30, increase the amount of greens in the diet. Then the ducks will gain weight. Then they put a bath for bathing or release the chicks into the water. It is also good to diversify the diet with fresh duckweed, this is a favorite delicacy of ducks. And then they begin to prepare the mash, adding food waste, zucchini, potatoes, even dry (freshly picked) greens to them.
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