Weak Duckling Legs

I have 2 pekins that are one week old today.
I have been added 1 tbs of nutritional yeast to each cup of food given.
I bought brewers yeast at the store yesterday and will start using this soon.

Both of my girls seem to be run and scamper when I am in their space or they are trying to escape, however, one of my girls seem to teeter a bit and then lay down.

I am not sure if she has weak legs or if I am just so paranoid after watching a video of two awful cases of niacin deficiency on YouTube.

Should I use water tablets instead?
Is there anything else I can give them for better niacin intake?

This is my first go at chicks and ducks!

amshizzle said:

I have 2 pekins that are one week old today.
I have been added 1 tbs of nutritional yeast to each cup of food given.
I bought brewers yeast at the store yesterday and will start using this soon.

Both of my girls seem to be run and scamper when I am in their space or they are trying to escape, however, one of my girls seem to teeter a bit and then lay down.

I am not sure if she has weak legs or if I am just so paranoid after watching a video of two awful cases of niacin deficiency on YouTube.

Should I use water tablets instead?
Is there anything else I can give them for better niacin intake?

This is my first go at chicks and ducks!

Click to expand...

@amshizzle Welcome to BYC

If you can't find "plain" niacin most likely GNC will carry it but you can use Nutritional yeast of Brewers yeast. Not baking yeast or spent yeast from beer making. 1Tablespoon to 1 cup of feed, usually they make a complete turn around in less than a week. It is very common for ducklings fed chick starter to have a nician def and even though one isn't showing signs it is best to have both of them on this till 10 weeks old 125 mgs of niacin to a gal of water for the niacin dosage. Please keep us updated on how they are doing. If you want more info go to Metzers web site they have info on niacin def also.
More good reading https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/750869/raising-and-caring-for-ducklings#post_10611711

as of now I am providing 1tbs brewers yeast per cup but I am unsure if that is enough OR if it is working! Again, I could just be paranoid!

This is my first go at backyard farming and I have been so devastated with the loss of a chick and a duckling.

I found this on amazon....

http://www.amazon.com/BulkSupplemen...pebp=1447774790044&perid=02WHA88ZAWTP9FS9HFSR


it appears to be pure niacin...

is this better? if so.... do I give them 100mg?

A little teetering before sitting is not that unusual, based on our experience with the Runners. They would kind of rock a little, then plop down.

Does your duckling have trouble standing up? You might be over-worrying, however, I understand exactly how you feel. I have no experience with the product posted. As @Miss Lydia posted, I've had good luck with the GNC product.

What type of feed are you giving them?

Best of luck with your ducklings.

Also, brewers yeast is always a good supplement.

One of my most recent babies was veeeeery wobbly on her feet when we first got her: (the little grey one in the back) But I give all of my babies Brewer's Yeast sprinkled on their food and water, and now she runs and swims and hops right alongside her sisters (and was in fact the first one to figure out she's now tall enough to hop the brooder walls :/ )! It was super worrisome at first, but even after just a week she was doing SO much better!

Thank you all so much for your input! I didn't even realize I had responses
I am still new to this forum haha.

The girls seem to be doing much better and I do think I was just a little paranoid!
I am sure this won't be the last time I worry!!

I also am suspicious that one of my girls is actually a drake or she may just be really quiet.... I guess we will wait and see!!

amshizzle said:

Thank you all so much for your input! I didn't even realize I had responses
I am still new to this forum haha.

The girls seem to be doing much better and I do think I was just a little paranoid!
I am sure this won't be the last time I worry!!

I also am suspicious that one of my girls is actually a drake or she may just be really quiet.... I guess we will wait and see!!

Click to expand...

Glad to hear they are doing better! always good news!!