My fawn and white Indian Runner duckling named Rose is 24 days old today, purchased with two other runners and two Crested Pekins from Ideal. They are all females. Shipping went smoothly, and everybody ate, drank, and generally frolicked well from the beginning. But Rose just had a third episode (that I've seen anyway) in two weeks, that looked like a seizure. She went completely limp and her head arched back at a funny angle. Her eyes were open but she had a vacant look. Today her legs stretched out straight behind her. The first time she was just sitting in the brooder when I noticed; the last two times it happened when I was transferring the duckies in a Rubbermaid tub to take them outside (making me wonder if she got stepped on by a big Pekin). Each episode seemed to last less than 30 seconds, then she would be groggy looking for a few minutes, then completely back to normal. Today I picked her up while this was happening and maybe it was a coincidence, but she seemed to get alert faster.
I have been feeding them Tractor's Supplies non-medicated chick starter. I have been putting niacin in the water since about the 2nd day, about 100 mg per gallon. Rose is just a tad smaller than the others-barely noticeable and not as assertive when it comes to eating out of my hand, though she certainly seems to be getting plenty to eat. She is an avid smimmer and loves to do the torpedo dive. She eats peas as fondly as anyone else- this is about the only treat I've given them thus far. The last few afternoons, I have let them hang out in the grass in a covered puppy pen, rooting around for anything of duckie interest. No chemicals are used in my yard and there is nothing funky she would have gotten hold of.
Is there anything more I can do? Her relations with the other ducks are fine; they don't seem to care. I know sometimes people have seizures while swimming and drown. Is this a far-fetched concern with a duckling? Might she grow out of it? When I was searching BYC for more info, it seemed like others' ducklings that had seizures had them much more frequently and there wasn't a lot on long term outcomes.
Another detail that may or may not be significant: My runners are not crested, but Rose has a tiny little tuft coming out the back of her head, maybe 1/3 an inch in diameter. I have read that crested birds are more prone to neurological issues-though my Pekins with their enormous puff-balls are fine so far, touch wood.
I have been feeding them Tractor's Supplies non-medicated chick starter. I have been putting niacin in the water since about the 2nd day, about 100 mg per gallon. Rose is just a tad smaller than the others-barely noticeable and not as assertive when it comes to eating out of my hand, though she certainly seems to be getting plenty to eat. She is an avid smimmer and loves to do the torpedo dive. She eats peas as fondly as anyone else- this is about the only treat I've given them thus far. The last few afternoons, I have let them hang out in the grass in a covered puppy pen, rooting around for anything of duckie interest. No chemicals are used in my yard and there is nothing funky she would have gotten hold of.
Is there anything more I can do? Her relations with the other ducks are fine; they don't seem to care. I know sometimes people have seizures while swimming and drown. Is this a far-fetched concern with a duckling? Might she grow out of it? When I was searching BYC for more info, it seemed like others' ducklings that had seizures had them much more frequently and there wasn't a lot on long term outcomes.
Another detail that may or may not be significant: My runners are not crested, but Rose has a tiny little tuft coming out the back of her head, maybe 1/3 an inch in diameter. I have read that crested birds are more prone to neurological issues-though my Pekins with their enormous puff-balls are fine so far, touch wood.
