2 week old duckling issues

[fe0208]

Today my ducks turned two weeks old!

One of them is noticably larger than the other two and it looks like she has some trouble walking. She takes a few steps and drops back down. I was adding Brewers yeast to their food but switched to a crushed tablet of niacin. I've gone back to the yeast because I am afraid I am dumping out the tablet when I refresh the water. Should I up the yeast? Switch to nutritional yeast? i have polutpak that they were shipped with that I could give them.

I also noticed they are a little sneezy. I have a 3.5 gal waterer for them. I believe they can dip their bills in the water. I also give them a bigger container of water to dunk their heads in once a day when I take them out for treats. I have pine shavings in the tub with them. Could the shavings be causing them issues? I took their heat source out (ecoglow heater) could that have something to do with it?

Lastly, I have them in my spare tub and I am wondering are they getting too big? Should they be put in a bigger brooder? I have half the tub filled with pine shavings and the other half a bedwetting pad. They seem to want to lay on the pad right next to the water and food but that's also where all the poop is. Will that make them sick? I clean it out twice a day but man they make a mess so quickly!

 

[chickens really]

Cute...
I use these types of water containers..I agree with you. They need more room to run around.
I use pine shavings and only use piddle pads the first two days. Ducklings need to Dunk their heads multiple times a day..Any possible way to set them up in your garage with a larger brooder?..
@Soon2BChixMom had a simple set up. She used a kiddie pool.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I started with a tote and ended with a huge kiddie pool. They grow fast!

 

[cjoffutt]

What breed of ducks are those ^^^?

 

[Miss Lydia]

@fe0208
They need at least 125 mgs of niacin a day I'd go with nutritional yeast or B Complex if one of your littles is having trouble walking you can get liquid B complex at TSC in cattle dept say injectable but not necessary for ducklings 1 ml daily each duckling or go to Walmart and buy human B complex in liquid 1 teaspoon per day per duck then just sprinkle the BY or NY over their feed. @CayugaJana puts the liquid B complex over dried meal worms or peas and her ducklings gobble it up.

I'd also give them a bigger brooder they need exercise so if your having warm days take them outside in a protected area and let them run around and noddle. Swim time is also a good way to make leg muscles sturdy just be careful they don't chill so not super cold water to bathe in. They also need to be able to completely dunk their heads to clean their nares and eyes.

Your ducklings are adorable.

 

[Ducklover108]

I also have a duck that seems to be having problems...she is about 2 months old and she too is having trouble walking....i have been giving niacin tablets in their water...but she is still not walking...any help?

 

[Miss Lydia]

What kind of niacin are you using? time released or flush free won't do it.

Could she have been injured have you examined her legs feet for extra heat or swelling? can she use her legs when you put her in water?

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

What breed of ducks are those ^^^?

Mine? Muscovy. They change a lot from littles to adult.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

What breed of ducks are those ^^^?

I noticed you are in Indiana too, if you are looking for some muscovies, a byc member here is moving and has to find new homes for her adults. There should also be some ducklings hatching soon too. Let me know, I can get you in touch with her.

 

[fe0208]

Thank you all for your responses! Is this the liquid B vitamins I should give them?

I just got a pen to take them outside and they've been out 2 times. I let them swim in the sink for the first time yesterday. I'm not sure about putting them in our garage but we have an extra bedroom I might be able to set up a pool for them in. I did get a small one and they can just hop right out of that! So I will see what I can do to get them so more space. Hoping to get them set up by the end of the week so they have some more room!