9 Week Old Runner Duck - poorly?

[Vics]

One of my wee runners is behaving a bit differently to the others.

It’s tail tip is constantly touching the floor when it’s upright or moving about.

It also tends to lie down more often than the others, or stands by itself a few feet away from the rest.

Eating and drinking normally.

They free range during the day and are in a shed at night.

Any thoughts, tempted to visit vet tomorrow instead of my accountant!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Might be a good idea with the vet.

At 9 weeks :
She maybe niacin deficient, some ducklings seem to need more niacin than others and she could be one of them, They get weak in their legs and have trouble walking if left untreated they can die from the deficiency. I'd still talk with your vet but maybe ask about adding some B3 to her diet and actually it would help them all especially if they are young. Even B complex would work if it have at least 100-150 megs of niacin in it.

You can also use Nutritional yeast to their feed 1Tab per cup of feed. Not baking yeast.

What do you feed?

 

[Vics]

Thanks for replying.

Coming on for 10 weeks old.

Get niacin in their water, free range in garden and also get boiled potatoes, peas as well as Grower Pellets, 15% protein.

Noticed at lunchtime it’s preening excessively and it feels soggy, so think wet feather maybe an issue too as no longer visiting the pool.

Wondering now if I should bring it in and give it a bath and dry it off.

All the others are just grand.

 

[Miss Lydia]

If it's feathers aren't keeping it dry I would def bring it inside let it dry and preen and keep an eye on it for the day make sure she is eating drinking and look at poo maybe post some pics of poo since we have a great member who can tell a lot by poo as to health. Runners tend to be so thin anyway they can chill easily if not feeling well.

Can you get her to the vet? Might be something else going on beside niacin def.

For feather quality maybe offer something higher in protein some use high quality cat kibble I use grain free Dog kibble. But I also feed mine a mix feed with 20% protein.

How long as she been like this?

 

[Vics]

I’m going to say Saturday.

I was in and out all day Saturday but noticed her lying down more then.

Will bring her in house tonight and give her some pampering and take her to afternoon surgery tomorrow, unless she goes downhill rapidly in which case the accountant gets bumped!

Ive still got half a sack of duck starter crumb, think that’s higher in protein, will mix some of that in too.

Wee soul x

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'd give it too her straight, and if she doesn't seem interested try putting some warm water on and making it soupy that might get her going. Also if you have any good poultry vitamins add some to her drinking water.

Please let us know how she is doing.

 

[Vics]

So we went to the vet on Wednesday.

He thinks she’s stressed.

She has no feathers on a small triangle patch on her tummy and on her back, basically as far as she can reach herself.

I have spent the last two days doing nothing else but watching them all and there is no harassment of any kind. Even been out through the night and looked through window - all chilled out.

She obviously feels the cold quicker as she’s kind of bald, but if I leave her in shed under heat she goes nuts and tries to climb over partition, so gave up and let her out.

Eating well and drinking too.

Wondering if I should stick her in a giant sock!

 

[chickens really]

She is going through a juvenile molt so they get shabby looking..No need for a sock. Toss some dry Cat kibble out a few times a week for the extra protein. Fish based is good.
What do you feed? Is it chicken feed?. Ducks have different dietary needs than Chickens do so extra vitamins in water is great.

 

[Miss Lydia]

There is a feed formulated for all poultry including water fowl its called All Flock and if your in the USA there is a brand name Purina.

Most of us can't get Duck feed so we use this with out any problems AND really no need for vitamins unless one isn't doing well from other issues. Vitamins can help boost the immune system to help them with health problems.
You also might try some B Complex it is wonderful for the nervous system and if she is nervous which most Runners are they should help. The Niacin can also help with leg and neurological issues.

And like Chicken really said adding some good quality cat kibble can help with feather growth.

Sounds like you think she maybe pulling her own feathers out since it is certain areas she can get too?

 

[Vics]

thanks for advice.
I’m based in Scotland.

They are all currently on a mix of duck starter crumb and duck grower/finisher.

They also get boiled potatoes and garden peas.

There is niacin in their water and brewers yeast sprinkled on their food.

They also have access to grit and oyster grit as well as free run of my garden.

She eats any feathers she finds lying around too - wee weirdo!