3 week old runner duckling gets tired easily - Advice Needed.

[NDgoatgirlNV]

Hello everybody!

A few weeks ago, I purchased 2 runner ducklings a fawn and white and what I think is a black (Possibly dark blue) from Cal Ranch Stores here in St George, Utah.... I noticed that the smaller of the 2 (The black one) had a weird tendency to sit on its bottom with its little feet and legs sticking out in front of it like a cute little cartoon...

Now, I know this isn't normal, but we have been giving Nutrena flock raiser starter feed and supplementing niacin in their water since the day we got them...

Do y'all think it could be a congenital defect? I take him out of the brooder daily for little walks around the yard, but he gets so tired so quickly that he kind of stops walking...does an standing stompy stompy and then just sits on his butt like mentioned above or he just flops and lays on his belly until we pick him up.

I've raised Runners before and I've only seen this type of fatigue in my male Muscovy ducks because of how large they get so quickly.

Any help or advice would be highly appreciated.

Thanks in Advance!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hello everybody!

A few weeks ago, I purchased 2 runner ducklings a fawn and white and what I think is a black (Possibly dark blue) from Cal Ranch Stores here in St George, Utah.... I noticed that the smaller of the 2 (The black one) had a weird tendency to sit on its bottom with its little feet and legs sticking out in front of it like a cute little cartoon...

Now, I know this isn't normal, but we have been giving Nutrena flock raiser starter feed and supplementing niacin in their water since the day we got them...

Do y'all think it could be a congenital defect? I take him out of the brooder daily for little walks around the yard, but he gets so tired so quickly that he kind of stops walking...does an standing stompy stompy and then just sits on his butt like mentioned above or he just flops and lays on his belly until we pick him up.

I've raised Runners before and I've only seen this type of fatigue in my male Muscovy ducks because of how large they get so quickly.

Any help or advice would be highly appreciated.

Thanks in Advance!

Have you been letting the little ones swim in warm water? i am not sure if this is congenital it could be but I do know letting them swim in warm water can help develop strong muscles in their legs. I have 6 Runner's that are 9months old and haven't ever seen what your describing. Are you using plain niacin? not flush free or time released?

@NDgoatgirlNV

 

[NDgoatgirlNV]

It's pure niacin capsules, I put the contents of a 100mg capsule into their bucket of water every time I change the water out (like 2x a day), they don't seem to like the water, but I will get them in a warm bath tonight when I get home from work...These 2 are runner ducks and this is my first time purchasing ducks from a Cal Ranch store, and they wouldn't tell me what Hatchery their ducklings came from....... My only current Muscovy was from a private breeder and she hasn't had a single issue...and has been fed the same diet when she was a baby...
I'll update after their swim tonight...Thank you!

 

[Miss Lydia]

It's pure niacin capsules, I put the contents of a 100mg capsule into their bucket of water every time I change the water out (like 2x a day), they don't seem to like the water, but I will get them in a warm bath tonight when I get home from work...These 2 are runner ducks and this is my first time purchasing ducks from a Cal Ranch store, and they wouldn't tell me what Hatchery their ducklings came from....... My only current Muscovy was from a private breeder and she hasn't had a single issue...and has been fed the same diet when she was a baby...
I'll update after their swim tonight...Thank you!

I am sorry I meant to say I have 6 Runner ducks, I have Muscovy too and I guess that is why I typed Muscovy instead of Runner. But anyway hopefully letting them have swim time daily will help get the lil one on its feet, it probably not happen over night but if it is just weak muscles maybe it will help. The only other thing I can suggest would be a vet.

 

[Amiga]

Sitting like this? That was normal for a number of my Runners.

 

[tactilecontact]

My runners did the same thing when they were little, too. Just part of the quirky uniqueness that makes them so much fun to have.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Sitting like this? That was normal for a number of my Runners.

LOL that is so cute but I do not remember mine sitting like that. Maybe because they were raised by a Muscovy [Joking]

Hopefully that is all it is with this lil Runner.

 

[TLWR]

They grow fast and I always just attributed it to their legs aching/hurting from all that growing that they just would sometimes take a break from standing on them.

 

[Miss Lydia]

They grow fast and I always just attributed it to their legs aching/hurting from all that growing that they just would sometimes take a break from standing on them.

I def don't remember seeing one of mine sitting like that. That is hilarious. They look prehistoric

 

[NDgoatgirlNV]

Sitting like this? That was normal for a number of my Runners.

YES! But he still tired very easily compared to the other one I got at the same time... We are doing warm bath swimmy therapy 2x a day...hopefully that will help! He seems happier though!