5 wk old Muscovy With Trouble Standing

[TracyR]

We have 3 Muscovy ducklings that are just over 5 weeks. 1 of them has always been much larger than the others. Big broad chest and head, huge thick clunky feet and up until recently was the boldest and most active out of the 3. It's eating and drinking well, eyes and nose are clear, breathing fine, legs and feet look fine and poop looks normal. But recently after a minute or 2 of running around and flapping and chit chatting like normal, it's tail will curl under and it's legs will tremble. Then it plops itself down. They were switched from duck starter to duck grower feed at 3 weeks and get a vitamin supplement which includes niacin in their water. I change the shavings multiple times a day, they have access to food and clean water 24/7 and have plenty of room to walk around. I posted in a fb group and it was suggested this was just a big drake until I showed this pic. Now nobody is really sure. Is there something wrong with this little 1 or is it just getting tired out from growth?

 

[NuggetTheChicken]

Sounds like a niacin deficiency. I would suggest adding some brewer's yeast to their feed to up the niacin. Growing ducklings need niacin for proper leg growth. That would be it. They look great otherwise.

 

[Isaac 0]

The one in the middle looks to be a Pekin, not a muscovy.

Could you post a video of the walking?

Have you read this link?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/niacin-deficiency-in-waterfowl.1367557/

 

[TracyR]

I have read that link. Along with many others from different sites and fb groups. They're on 16% protein non-medicated grower feed and I put a vitamin supplement into their water which contains niacin with the dosage recommendations provided in a unit on a fb group. Could this little 1 use extra niacin? I'm worried I may give too much if i add brewer's yeast to their food. I've tried to get a video but they never perform when u need them to. Hopefully tonight when I go to clean the shavings I can finally get 1. There was a bit of improvement today in its energy. Took much longer for him/her to get tired. Definitely muscovy though. I know it's hard to.tell without a face shot.