Duckling keeps rolling onto it's back

I got cayuga ducklings. They are 3 weeks old now. One of them was on his back yesterday evening flailing around trying to right it's self. I was told it was straddle leg. We tied the legs close enough for it to walk and it seemed to work. This morning it was on its back again. I thought maybe it's legs were too far still. I retied it's legs but it couldn't stay standing. No matter what we do short of holding it up, it can't do anything but lay down. Does anyone have any ideas? I don't want it to die.

Glenda Sue said:

I got cayuga ducklings. They are 3 weeks old now. One of them was on his back yesterday evening flailing around trying to right it's self. I was told it was straddle leg. We tied the legs close enough for it to walk and it seemed to work. This morning it was on its back again. I thought maybe it's legs were too far still. I retied it's legs but it couldn't stay standing. No matter what we do short of holding it up, it can't do anything but lay down. Does anyone have any ideas? I don't want it to die.

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It's right at the age where you see the niacin deficiency some ducklings just seem more prone to it than their siblings, You need to start adding Brewers yeast to their feed or plain niacin or B complex to their water if you get plain niacin get 150 megs crush and add to 1 gal of water. All the ducklings can have it even though they aren't showing symptoms. Weaknes in the legs and neurological problems result from niacin dif. The quicker you start the quicker you'll see improvement.

I agree with Miss Lydia - likely a niacin deficiency.

My duckling is getting worse. It won't eat but it will drink. I'm putting vitamin supplement in it's water. No place around me has brewers yeast so I have to order it on line. I'm going to go into town to the drug store to get niacin. I'm afraid that my duckling might die when I go back to work. He will be without ever thin for 12 hours. I have it in a plastic tub with litter in the bottom because he freaks out the other ducklings. I have to come up with a way to keep water in his container in a way he can't pump it when he rolls on his back and flails. I grew up beside a lake filled with ducks and none ever had this problem. How do wild ducks do it?

Glenda Sue said:

My duckling is getting worse. It won't eat but it will drink. I'm putting vitamin supplement in it's water. No place around me has brewers yeast so I have to order it on line. I'm going to go into town to the drug store to get niacin. I'm afraid that my duckling might die when I go back to work. He will be without ever thin for 12 hours. I have it in a plastic tub with litter in the bottom because he freaks out the other ducklings. I have to come up with a way to keep water in his container in a way he can't pump it when he rolls on his back and flails. I grew up beside a lake filled with ducks and none ever had this problem. How do wild ducks do it?

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https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/94700/homemade-spill-free-duckling-waterer/10 one way to keep your duckling from dumping his water, put a rock in the bottom to keep it upright. there are other pics if you type duckling waterers in the search box at top of page. Drinking the niacin water will help it get the niacin into it's body. needs to be done asap though. can you make it a little plastic so he can drink the water once he begins to drink fix him up with a bowl of feed right next to it. it's amazing what you can come up with that you have around the house. container with a small towel rolled up and made into a donut then place the ducking in there so it will be kept upright then put the waterer right in front of it Ducks in the wild know what to eat to get the nutrients they need. duck weed etc which is full of nutrients.

He's been drinking but still won't eat. This is the second day with enriched water. But he went two days with regular water because we thought he just had spraddle leg. Will that make a big difference? I've got them all on niacin until I get some brewers yeast.

Glenda Sue said:

He's been drinking but still won't eat. This is the second day with enriched water. But he went two days with regular water because we thought he just had spraddle leg. Will that make a big difference? I've got them all on niacin until I get some brewers yeast.

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Actually since you have the niacin just go with that especially since he is drinking and not eating at least you know he's getting the water with the niacin in it. Hopefully it will kick in quick. You maybe able to get him to eat some by using some warm water on his feed and making it soupy, just try a little to see if he looks interested. Once he picks up eating then use the brewers yeast on his feed actually once you put him back in with the other ducklings you can use it with them all. But either way niacin or BY would be fine.


I didn't make myself clear on what to put him in, if you can find something that you can put a rolled towel into donut shaped then place him in it so he's upright that will keep him from falling backward. you'll have to clean often but hopefully once the niacin kicks in he won't have to stay in it long.I use puppy pee pads for ducklings when i have them inside.

Thank you!

My little one is standing and able to move around much better. I got Flock Raiser feed and gave to him. He loves it. Gobbled it up. My boyfriend was home today and said he took him out for some exercise. He said he stumbled about 10 feet before falling down. I'm so happy.

Glenda Sue said:

My little one is standing and able to move around much better. I got Flock Raiser feed and gave to him. He loves it. Gobbled it up. My boyfriend was home today and said he took him out for some exercise. He said he stumbled about 10 feet before falling down. I'm so happy.

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That is great news!! be sure to keep them all on Brewers yeast till they are at least 10 weeks old that's their fastest growing time.