Duck cannot walk

[Bjjc23]

Hi everyone!
I need some advice. We have 1.5 month old rouin duck. He grew larger and faster than the 3 others we got. He is about 5 lbs while the others are still smaller.
Recently we put him in the pool and let them swim. When we took him out, he had lost all the feathers on his back (the others we all fine). They are now growing back slowly and look healthy.
Two days ago he started having trouble walking. Today he doesn’t seem to be able to use them at all (even when we put him in the pool for a swim). He can’t even lift himself up after swimming to clean himself off (if that’s what he’s doing when they nuzzle their tummy after swimming). He is still eating and drinking (but we have to put it right in front of him).
We gave him a small dose of antibiotics today but I was wondering if someone has seen this before and has any advice.
We also ordered brewers yeast to start to feed him in case it’s a nutritional deficiency, but it won’t come in for a couple days.
Any advice would be welcome!

 

[ngennetta]

In my experience, 100% of leg/walking/swimming issues are due to niacin deficiency. I think that is your best bet

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

@Miss Lydia
It could be Niacin deficiency, but there are other reasons why ducks cannot walk.
Can you please post some pictures of the duck's legs and feet, especially the underside of the feet.
It could be an intoxication or avian botulism. If you have activated charcoal, try to feed this to your duck. I used this
when my Limpy suddenly wasn't able to use his legs, see here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/young-duck-went-suddenly-lame.1270289/

 

[Fishkeeper]

What are you feeding?
Never, NEVER give antibiotics unless you're 100% sure they're needed to treat something, and if you give antibiotics, do a complete course. Careless use of antibiotics, in addition to being harmful to the bird's gut bacteria, is how we get antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

 

[Bjjc23]

@Miss Lydia
It could be Niacin deficiency, but there are other reasons why ducks cannot walk.
Can you please post some pictures of the duck's legs and feet, especially the underside of the feet.
It could be an intoxication or avian botulism. If you have activated charcoal, try to feed this to your duck. I used this
View attachment 1554845 when my Limpy suddenly wasn't able to use his legs, see here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/young-duck-went-suddenly-lame.1270289/

 

[Bjjc23]

Hope those pics show ok! Thank you for the reply. Did the charcoal help yours?

 

[Bjjc23]

In my experience, 100% of leg/walking/swimming issues are due to niacin deficiency. I think that is your best bet

Thank you! Can I use regular niacin supplement? If you used that...did you crush up the pills?

 

[Bjjc23]

What are you feeding?
Never, NEVER give antibiotics unless you're 100% sure they're needed to treat something, and if you give antibiotics, do a complete course. Careless use of antibiotics, in addition to being harmful to the bird's gut bacteria, is how we get antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

We are feeding Dumor starter/ grower right now. We were worried about a possible infection due to the sudden feather issue before followed by this issue. Think we will try nutritional supplements now

 

[Miss Lydia]

You have to use plain niacin not flush feed or time released ducklings need around 100 mgs daily what I’d get is liquid BComplex and start him on that you can give him human and get it at Walmart 3ml daily or go to TSC and buy cattle Liquid b complex and give him 1 ml a day it’s more concentrated. Since he is already lame I’d def use the liquid B Complex

 

[ngennetta]

Thank you! Can I use regular niacin supplement? If you used that...did you crush up the pills?

I am sorry, I cannot comment on this. I have only used brewers yeast