An outbreak of limping amongst my call duck population

[pokey24]

I own 12 call ducks, 5 of which hatched this year. I also own a family of Mandarin ducks (2 adults and 8 babies). I was wondering if someone could help with an odd outbreak of limping which started a few days ago. The youngest baby call (2 months) began limping first and has proceeded to get worse over the last few days, to the extent that he now cannot seem to stand at all and can only get about by pushing along the grass. One of his siblings also began limping a couple of days ago and is quite bad, although not to the extent of the first baby. Yesterday two of my other calls (4 months old) also began limping badly and also seem to be worse today. None of the adult calls are affected at all, and apart from the limping the babies seem to be quite perky, although the worse baby is obviously uncomfortable.

About a week ago two of the mandarin ducklings (about 2 months) also had limps, but these were quite mild and cleared up within two days, which doesn't seem to be happening with the calls.

I know limping can be a sign of worms so I have started treating with de-wormer, but it seems extremely odd to me that so many have started limping and so severely. It also seems to be too much of a coincidence for them all to have injured themselves. As far as I know nothing has scared them or caused them to run around in a way in which they could damage themselves.

Please help if anyone has any ideas about what could be going on! It almost seems like a contagious thing, but the legs are not swollen or hot as they would be in the case of a bacterial infection. There is also no other obvious signs of damage. I'm extremely reluctant to take them to the vet - they charge a lot just for an appointment and when ever I have taken ducks to them in the past they have no idea what so ever about how to treat them or what's wrong with them.

I'm really anxious to figure out what is going on - the three youngest calls (two limping, one unaffected) have been completely hand raised by me, still love cuddles and I absolutely adore them. I'd be heart broken if something awful happened.

Thanks for any advice!
Rachel
xxx

 

[Miss Lydia]

I own 12 call ducks, 5 of which hatched this year. I also own a family of Mandarin ducks (2 adults and 8 babies). I was wondering if someone could help with an odd outbreak of limping which started a few days ago. The youngest baby call (2 months) began limping first and has proceeded to get worse over the last few days, to the extent that he now cannot seem to stand at all and can only get about by pushing along the grass. One of his siblings also began limping a couple of days ago and is quite bad, although not to the extent of the first baby. Yesterday two of my other calls (4 months old) also began limping badly and also seem to be worse today. None of the adult calls are affected at all, and apart from the limping the babies seem to be quite perky, although the worse baby is obviously uncomfortable.

About a week ago two of the mandarin ducklings (about 2 months) also had limps, but these were quite mild and cleared up within two days, which doesn't seem to be happening with the calls.

I know limping can be a sign of worms so I have started treating with de-wormer, but it seems extremely odd to me that so many have started limping and so severely. It also seems to be too much of a coincidence for them all to have injured themselves. As far as I know nothing has scared them or caused them to run around in a way in which they could damage themselves.

Please help if anyone has any ideas about what could be going on! It almost seems like a contagious thing, but the legs are not swollen or hot as they would be in the case of a bacterial infection. There is also no other obvious signs of damage. I'm extremely reluctant to take them to the vet - they charge a lot just for an appointment and when ever I have taken ducks to them in the past they have no idea what so ever about how to treat them or what's wrong with them.

I'm really anxious to figure out what is going on - the three youngest calls (two limping, one unaffected) have been completely hand raised by me, still love cuddles and I absolutely adore them. I'd be heart broken if something awful happened.

Thanks for any advice!
Rachel
xxx

First off

and second what are you feeding them, reason asking some chicken feeds don't contain the niacin that ducks/ducklings need in their diet which in turn can cause leg problems/ neurological problems. So you may want to get some niacin tablets or capsules and put some in their waterers/buckets what ever you use. Niacin can be found just about any drug store, grocery store dollar sore. Just be sure to NOT buy the time release or the flush free. Here is a link to info.
http://metzerfarms.blogspot.com/2011/03/are-my-ducklings-leg-problems-due-to.html

 

[pokey24]

I've been feeding the ducklings I hand reared chick crumbs, and they've spend the last couple of weeks outside during the day so that they ought to have been getting slugs/snails etc. I've always used this before when raising ducklings and never encountered these problems, but I'll definitely look into getting some niacin for their water just to be on the safe side. The four month old ducks were a recent purchase so I've no idea what they were raised on.

Thanks for your suggestion!

 

[pokey24]

Just had a look at the link you included, and I'm fairly sure it isn't this because my ducks aren't bow legged, and they all seem to become lame in one leg more than the other. But I think I'll buy some anyway - better to be safe than sorry!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Just had a look at the link you included, and I'm fairly sure it isn't this because my ducks aren't bow legged, and they all seem to become lame in one leg more than the other. But I think I'll buy some anyway - better to be safe than sorry!

They don't have to be bow legged to have a niacin deff. that is the end result if it's not treated. Good idea to try it, niacin is cheap so if it works great. Please let us know.

 

[pokey24]

Hi,

Just to update - I caved in and took my babies to the vet yesterday ... To my shock and amazement the guy actually knew about ducks and quickly ascertained that they were suffering from a bacterial infection in their hock joints. Apparently this bacteria infects the leg joints and causes severe lameness, it is also contagious which is why they all came down with it at once. If left untreated for too long it can cause joint deformity and severe arthritis, so thank goodness he knew what was going on! I couldn't tell they were swollen/hot but he seemed to think they were. He reckons the adults aren't affected because they are either already immune or they just have tougher immune systems and have managed to fight it off - still, I have to treat the entire flock with antibiotics. He gave me a powder to dissolve in their drinking water, so goodness knows if they are getting the right dose or just splashing it all over the place, but hopefully they'll start improving soon. All in all they have cost me £50, but I'm sure I'll feel it was worth every penny once they are all running around happily

Thanks for the suggestions and help!
Rachel x

 

[Amiga]

Thanks for letting us know what is going on! Every time we can share a vet diagnosis or successful treatment, we can pass that along to the next person.

 

[PetesMom]

I know you have already gone to the vets lol but I had this happen with my flock when I switched them over to Flock Raiser.....mostly just the males, even the gander, once I switched them back they were fine!

 

[Miss Lydia]

I am just happy you fond out what was going on, so strange for so many of them to come down with this. Glad they are on the road to recovery

 

[swampgirl21]

Great News!!