6 week old ancona duck with problems

[GinnieS]

I am raising a small flock of ancona ducklings. They are six weeks old. I've been feeding them Purina Flock Raiser supplemented by some fresh greens. All are thriving except for one. It's been slower to grow than the others. Although its feather development is fine, it's about 30% smaller than it should be for its age. Over the past week its feet have become increasingly splayed. It often tips over onto its back (or side) and then it can't right itself. A few days ago I moved it into a small pen and started supplementing its diet with nutritional yeast for increased niacin. I did the same for the rest of the flock. The unsteady duckling seemed to be getting a little stronger but today it's been tipping over a lot. Does anybody have any ideas as to what might be going on and how I can help the little guy?

 

[learycow]

I've been seeing a lot of similar babies this year on all the forums and groups I'm part of. Not sure if there's a genetic or nutritional issue, or if it just seems like more as more and more people connect through social media.
But sometimes you do get a small one in a batch. Sometimes they do not thrive and have a shortened life. Others grow a little but are stunted for life. And some will be little to start and then out of the blue grow to match it's siblings in size. So it's not uncommon.

Niacin is a great place to start with the leg issues. Add 1-2 tablespoons mixed into the feed once a day, twice if it's not noticeably better within 4-5 days.
The flipping could simply be lack of balance due to the niacin issue, or it could be a vitamin and mineral deficiency. So adding those to the water daily should help with that, for at least 2 weeks even if you see improvements right off.

If possible, let them outside to forage in grass for bugs and grains. It tends to help all around with proper growth and development

 

[GinnieS]

I've been seeing a lot of similar babies this year on all the forums and groups I'm part of. Not sure if there's a genetic or nutritional issue, or if it just seems like more as more and more people connect through social media.
But sometimes you do get a small one in a batch. Sometimes they do not thrive and have a shortened life. Others grow a little but are stunted for life. And some will be little to start and then out of the blue grow to match it's siblings in size. So it's not uncommon.

Niacin is a great place to start with the leg issues. Add 1-2 tablespoons mixed into the feed once a day, twice if it's not noticeably better within 4-5 days.
The flipping could simply be lack of balance due to the niacin issue, or it could be a vitamin and mineral deficiency. So adding those to the water daily should help with that, for at least 2 weeks even if you see improvements right off.

If possible, let them outside to forage in grass for bugs and grains. It tends to help all around with proper growth and development

Thank you for your input. What is the best source for niacin? I haven't been measuring the amount of nutritional yeast I've been adding to his feed; I just mix some in and sprinkle some on his water. Also, I was under the impression that Purina Flock Raiser contains sufficient niacin for raising ducklings. I guess some ducklings might need more than their peers?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Your right some ducklings just need more. I use Nutritional yeast with my flock 1 Tab per cup of feed. Hopefully you'll begin to notice big improvement in a few days to a week. Might want to put a buddy in with him so it's easier to get them back into the flock and it won't be alone while recovering.