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Why are wild ducklings getting weak, sick, and dying after a week?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Hi, I've been taking care of the wildlife around our house since we moved over. Theres a wide population of ducks and geese nesting in our woods. Sadly everytime we see ducks with little ducklings this time of the year they dont last that long. they seem to be getting sick after a week. Found one complety lost and disorientated the other day brought it inside wrapped it in a warm towel and looked after it for a couple of hours. Sadly the duckling started to feel weak/spasm. do you know the cause

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Published on April 16th, 2017

It is likely to be due to a respiratory tract infection like viral rinotracheitis (herpes virus), or more commonly duck virus hepatitis. Duck virus hepatitis is a highly fatal contagious disease of young ducklings, 1-28 days of age. Ducklings are most susceptible at the younger ages and gradually become more resistant as they grow older. The disease is rarely seen in ducklings over 4 weeks of age.
To prevent this disease, keep age groups isolated and vaccinate breeder ducks with an attenuated live virus duck hepatitis vaccine (to produce maternally immune ducklings).

Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation (where you can post pictures ) if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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