DUCK CANT STAND/WALK AT ALL PLEASE HELP!!!

[Dspear24]

So this is me and my roommates first time owning ducks and we bought 2 from tractor supply. We fed them duck starter and gave them the electrolyte stuff that turns there water orange. (Sorry if it sounds like I don’t know what I’m talking about, like I said I’ve never owned ducks before) they are now eating “duck and goose blend” from tractor supply and we have been continuing to give them the orange stuff in their water. I don’t know what kind of ducks they are or if they are male or female but one was yellow and is now turning white and the other is a brown/black color with a lighter color on the tips of his feathers. The brown one seems completely fine and doesn’t seem to have a problem but the white one has I guess you call it “limp”. He cannot walk or stand at all and seems to just flop around their pen using his wings to keep him from tumbling over. I took a video that hopefully shows what is going on pretty well and will try to upload it. Any suggestions or explanations on what is going on will help. We would like to stay away from the vet if possible due to being 20 year olds that have bills to pay. (If we cant find any help our only option is the vet we just wanted to try to see if we could help him before we spent any money) P.S. it wouldn’t let me upload the video but when he tries to walk he just ends up going in circle and cannot stand up straight at all. His body is maybe an inch off the ground when he tries to move.

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

You may already know that ducklings need supplemental niacin or they can develop leg problems. If there hasn't been an injury, a vitamin deficiency is worth ruling out as the cause of your duckling's leg issue. This thread has dosing instructions. Metzer's blog also has information you may find helpful.

If the powdered electrolyte is Sav-A-Chick Electrolyte, it apparently does have niacin in it, but the amount isn't listed, so your duckling may not have been getting enough. If it is a niacin deficiency, it's important to start administering the proper dosage to treat a potentially acute case immediately.

Best wishes for your duckling's speedy recovery!

 

[AquaDuck]

Aww no, how sad.
Niacin supplement (called nicotinamide at the apothecary) is the 1st responder for duck foot problems. If you can't find it, a broad spectrum B-vitamin will work too.
Hope the little guy gets better!

 

[Dspear24]

Thank you guys for the replies. We are going to try buying the niacin supplements tomorrow and start giving them the correct dose. I also forgot to mention that one of the injured ducks hips looks like it sticks out much farther than the other side, I don’t know if this also has to do with the niacin or if it is a different issue all together. I will post a picture when I can and of course will keep you guys updated on the progress!

 

[Dspear24]

I don’t know if you can really tell too well from this picture, I will try to get a better one tomorrow before I leave for work. But his hip on the right side sticks out past his wing any help is appreciated, thank you!

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

View attachment 1768827I don’t know if you can really tell too well from this picture, I will try to get a better one tomorrow before I leave for work. But his hip on the right side sticks out past his wing any help is appreciated, thank you!

It is difficult to tell what exactly is going on from the photo, but it suggests hip involvement (possible dislocation?)...the duckling was able to walk normally when you first got him/her, right? Leg/hip problems can also be due to deformity, but I think there would have been signs early on.

This thread may also be helpful - see @Miss Lydia's post, in particular. Also tagging @WVduckchick for input. (TIA!)

 

[Miss Lydia]

Has the duckling been dropped or accidentally stepped on? Both feeds should have adequate amounts of niacin in them but sometimes even when feeding the right food they can still be deficient. I’d go to TSC and get the liquid b complex in the cattle dept start by giving 1 ml daily. Added to dried meal worms or thawed peas. But if the hip is out a vet will be needed. Can you take this duckling to a vet? They can examine much better than us. How does it do in water?

 

[Miss Lydia]

This is what you want.

 

[WVduckchick]

Great suggestions already. I don't have anything else to add other than I'd like to see a video of it.

We can't upload videos directly to BYC. It has to be uploaded to YouTube, Vimeo, Metacafe, Facebook, etc. and then embedded here. Copy the link from the video site, then use the film strip icon (to the left of the + sign) to insert here.