duck laying on his back (?)

Cape Cod Egghead

In the Brooder
9 Years
Oct 17, 2010
12
0
22
Has anyone ever had a duck that flips over on its back and can't get up again? I have a 2+ month old buff drake who has periodically been found upside down - and unable to right himself. (Think turtle, horseshoe crab...) At first I though he was stuck to something, or a wing was hung up on something that made him unable to flip over, but now it appears to have become a habit. When I right him he runs off looking stiff but otherwise normal, then he somehow ends up upside down again! I haven't been able to catch him flipping over.
 
My drakes have flipped over onto their backs when the girls kick them off (not wanting to mate) but they have always been able to right themselves. Sorry I am no help, this is my first season with ducks.
 
There is a chance, perhaps, that he's having some nervous system troubles. You might offer him some niacin in water (100 to 150 mg per gallon, per Storey's Guide) if he's not already getting that, for a few weeks and see if that helps him. Is he crested? Sometimes they have problems. A fall or injury, ingesting something toxic could also bring this on.

I hope that whatever it is, you are able to resolve it.
 
Interesting deal isn't it. My drake has been on his back about 4-5 times. I am able to get his upright and he staggers off only to find him that way again a couple of days later. Just don't know why? It seems to be just one of them and a drake. Any ideas?
 
Interesting deal isn't it. My drake has been on his back about 4-5 times. I am able to get his upright and he staggers off only to find him that way again a couple of days later. Just don't know why? It seems to be just one of them and a drake. Any ideas?
One of my drakes did this, but he had some neurological problems. He would get triggered by something, usually startled, then flip on his back and not be able to get up It was terrible. He outgrew it though, as he got bigger.
 
I had a duck with this problem. I put him in a small box where he couldnt move much so he wouldnt flip over and gave him lots of greens and grains because I suspected it was dietary! His poop was very green and watery. Either a wild mushroom or berry he ate. It took about two weeks for his system to flush and he was fine and back with the flock.
 

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