PLEASE HELP duck foot problem

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Marcilynn85

Marcilynn85

In the Brooder
7 Years
Apr 11, 2012
12
0
22
I have 2 male pekins about a month old. A few days ago i noticed one of them had a hole and what looked like a scab on his webbing, the "scab" i think was necrotic tissue. He acts completly fine! Today i noticed the other duck with a small hole. What is it????
 
What kind of flooring are they living on? Is it clean, free of sharp/rough objects and relatively poop-free? I'm wondering if ammonia build up is a problem. Certainly looks like something is eating away at their feet.

If your duck house flooring is not the problem then the next thing I'd think of might be a vitamin deficiency (like niacin) but that's just a kinda wild guess.

I hope you get to the bottom of it! I'm sure it's a worry to see your boys' feet like that. It's good that they seem otherwise happy though.
 
So, he has not been limping, or sitting frequently?

I agree there may be something in his environment that is hurting his feet. Think about what he walks on. What do you clean the floor with? What is the bedding? Where do they walk?

I would get him into a clean lukewarm bathtub for a while. Do they have access to swim water?

Look around and see if there are any anthills or spider nests.

And please keep us posted.
 
this is picture of thier pen. no he is not limping or sitting more. how would i give them more niacin?
 
Niacin capsules are sold at most drugstores, you can open one up and empty it into water. The recommended rate is 100 to 150 mg per gallon of water.

There are also poultry vitamins (some with electrolytes and probiotics) that you can mix into their water.

What are the plants growing up through the straw in the picture? Nettles or thistle could cause something like this, perhaps.
 
Well it looks fine in their pen. Do you notice any ammonia smells in or around the pen or where they sleep?

Have you noticed this problem getting slowly worse over time or did it seem to happen suddenly?

I am not sure that a vitamin problem would have that effect on their feet but if you did want to give them a vitamin boost then soluable vitamins live nutri-drench are good. Niacin is found in brewer's yeast which you can buy at heal food stores (human grade) or produce stores (animal grade, which is less strong). You just sprinkle a pinch on their food each day. It usually never hurts to give extra vitamins for a period of time when they are little and growing fast.
 
Noticed all this within last 5 days or so. Do you suggest us completely covering pen with hay so no grass is showing? These our are first ducks so thanks for all your help!
 
I think that it is a good idea to completely cover the floor of the pen with hay.

It looks like there are other types of plants in there, other than grass, and, as Amiga says, they may be part of the issue. At any rate, a complete covering of hay will rule out the ground surface as a problem.
 

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