4 Week Old Pigeon Toed Pekin Loosing Weight - Help Please

[TroyBlackburn]

What kind of feed was he on before you moved him to the coop? Did you change his food when moving him to the coop? Have they gotten an opportunity to bathe or dip their entire head in fresh clean water? Do any of the others appear to pick on him? How about any of the chickens?

He was and is on Country Acres Chick Starter/Grower. The Nutrician info from the bag is as follows:

Crude Protein (min) 17.00%
Lysine (min) .80 %
Methlonine (min) .30 %
Crude Fat (min) 3.00 %
Calcium (min) .80 %
Calcium (max) 1.30 %
Phosphorus (min) .55 %
Salt (min) .20 %
Salt (max) .70 %

They did not get a change to bathe or dip their heads in water while I was out of town (6 days), however they have bathed a couple of times since I returned. I normally try to give them a chance to swim at least every couple of days, every day when possible. He does not appear to be getting picked on at all. I removed the plastic shelf pieces since I got back. I think with the problems with his legs that it may have been making it harder for him to get to the food and he seems that he might be eating better today. At this point I'm most concerned about his nutritional needs perhaps not being met and the issue with his pigeon toed feet.

Thank You
Troy

 

[Amiga]

Chick starter contains about a third of the amount of niacin ducklings need. There are exceptions to this . . . some ducklings seem okay with it. But I have read perhaps dozens of reports of leg or neurological trouble resolving with the addition of niacin.

Find niacin, capsules are best, not the fancy stuff (avoid the timed release, no-flush), dissolve 100 to 150 mg per gallon of water.

And do give some broad spectrum poultry vitamins as well, perhaps the occasional few tablespoons of unpasteurized apple cider vinegar in water for a tonic.

Reminds me. I really need some of that today. Sheesh.

 

[Miss Lydia]

It looks malnourished.

 

[TroyBlackburn]

Would you think that it's legs will recover if it starts receiving enough niacin and other vitamin?

Thank You
Troy

 

[TroyBlackburn]

I would agree, however that didn't appear to be the case a few days ago and it's had access to plenty of food. I still suspect that the lack of niacin resulted in the leg problems, which in turn I think made it hard to get to the food and so it got less food and nurishment. I'm off work for a few days and so I'm doing everything can to make sure he is eating and I'm adding poultry suplements (including niacin) to it's water. I'm fairly confident he'll gain the weight back, I'm mostly concerned about whether the damage to his legs will correct itself. I've read that if can if it doesn't get too bad and for too long. He's only 4 1/2 weeks old right now.

Thank You
Troy

 

[zooweemama]

I would agree, however that didn't appear to be the case a few days ago and it's had access to plenty of food. I still suspect that the lack of niacin resulted in the leg problems, which in turn I think made it hard to get to the food and so it got less food and nurishment. I'm off work for a few days and so I'm doing everything can to make sure he is eating and I'm adding poultry suplements (including niacin) to it's water. I'm fairly confident he'll gain the weight back, I'm mostly concerned about whether the damage to his legs will correct itself. I've read that if can if it doesn't get too bad and for too long. He's only 4 1/2 weeks old right now.

Thank You
Troy

I think you may be right. Time and tlc will tell. I have read lots of places where ducks DID see improvement in their legs when caught early and treated. If that problem is addressed, I don't see why the little guy wouldn't start eating better. And I think you mentioned he now has easier access to his food- which I am sure helps. He's a cute little thing!

 

[TroyBlackburn]

I think you may be right. Time and tlc will tell. I have read lots of places where ducks DID see improvement in their legs when caught early and treated. If that problem is addressed, I don't see why the little guy wouldn't start eating better. And I think you mentioned he now has easier access to his food- which I am sure helps. He's a cute little thing!

Thank you for the feedback and the encouraging words. I'm really bummed about this right now. When I went out of town this particular duck seemed to be doing very well. Looking back it was showing early signs of leg problems, but it was getting around just fine and fast. It was also growing fast, when I got back after 6 days it was a very different story.

 

[Amiga]

They grow breathtakingly fast at this age, so problems and improvements happen just as quickly.

Please keep us posted.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thank you for the feedback and the encouraging words. I'm really bummed about this right now. When I went out of town this particular duck seemed to be doing very well. Looking back it was showing early signs of leg problems, but it was getting around just fine and fast. It was also growing fast, when I got back after 6 days it was a very different story.

I'm sorry if i made you feel worse when i said it looked malnourished, I am happy you are going to be able to give it personal attention I'm sure that plus the vits and niacin will get the cutie up and running again soon.. Please keep us updated..

 

[TroyBlackburn]

I'm sorry if i made you feel worse when i said it looked malnourished, I am happy you are going to be able to give it personal attention I'm sure that plus the vits and niacin will get the cutie up and running again soon..  Please keep us updated.. 

No need to be sorry, or apologize; however thank you just the same. . You didn't say anything I wasn't already thinking. I was shocked to see his condition when I got home. Besides, I'm looking for candid and honest help here. Without that kind of honest feedback, it would be harder for me to give him what he needs to make the best possible recovery.

Thank You
Troy