Deformed Duckling

[tia]

Had to put one of the newly hatched ducklings down today. It hatched with a deformed body and legs. Think another might be the same, going to give it some time. I have never had a deformed duckling before. The vet put him down for me. So sad it was so full of life... just didn't get a very good body. Weird that there may be two in the same batch. There is also one more walking, but seems to have a little foot problem. My Anconas turned out great, but the penciled runners have been slow in hatching, and coming out slimy. The last one is just starting to hatch on day 29. I had two incubators going and they both had a mix of anonas and penciled runners, so don't think it was the incubators.

 

[PetesMom]

A niacin deficiency COULD be causing these issues.

 

[tia]

What can I do. They hatched today and I haven't taken them out of the incubator yet. I was going to give them some electrolytes tonight, but thought I would keep them in the incubator over night.

 

[tia]

I ordered the eggs, so don't know about the diet of the adult birds. If the had some niacin would that maybe help things. I know that it is in my ducks food... but I don't know about the duck and goose starter food. I will check.

 

[dracoe19]

Maybe the parents were related and it could be the cause of in-breeding? That's the first thing I thought of but the deficiency makes sense as well.

 

[tia]

I just hate to see them suffer. I took the one to the vet and had it put down, but he said the body was deformed too and it was having trouble breathing. I'm not sure about this second one. I know it was having trouble standing and kept flipping over on its back. The vet is closed for the weekend. I have some electrolytes, so I will give him some of that. One of the others can walk but seems to have a goofed up foot. All from the same batch of eggs.

 

[dracoe19]

It sounds like the problem definetly came from the person you ordered from... I'm sorry you have to go through with this. Hopefully the others will be healthy and the two you have will be alright. Best of luck.

 

[tia]

Checking the ducks again tonight. Four of the seven runners that hatched have problems. I had to have one put down, plus there is another one that looks like it has similar problems. It can't stand and rolls over on its back kicking into the air. I hate to go to bed tonight leaving it like that, but I don't know what to do. Two others can walk, but there seems to be something wrong with their feet. I don't know if the Vet will be around tomorrow or not. This little guy is on his back kicking into the air. He seems to be lively, but his body isn't working for him. What do I do?? I gave them all electrolytes with an eye dropper tonight. I think it is a bigger problem than that. I feel bad going back to the Vet and having him put another one down. I have been incubating eggs for quite a few years and haven't had anything like this happen. What do people do???

 

[tia]

All in the brooder today. Still not sure about the runners.The person I got the eggs from said it was probably my temperature. Said the Anconas are more resiliant. I have a r-com digital incubator with humidity... I've never had trouble with it before. I hatched turkeys in it last summer. I will check the temperature with a reliable thermometer... it has been pretty right on in the past.

 

[tia]

The rest of my runners are looking good now. I gave them electrolytes and put a bandaid on a couple of their legs for spraddle leg. I put them in a different brooder than the anacona and they seem to be thriving.... little feet look pretty normal at this time. Maybe it was the niacin. I am so thankful. They are getting around fine.