Duck foot and stopped quacking

[mibofa17]

Hello everyone,

I'm new being a duck mommy and my welsh harlequin stopped walking. One day she was walking, then she started limping the next day, then she stopped altogether. I did some research and saw that she may have a niacin deficiency. So I bought a supplement to put in her water (once a week), brewer's yeast (daily), and niacin pills (sprinkle here and there every few days). After a few days, I noticed that she still cannot walk, but the good news is that one foot got better and is working fine, but bad news, the other one does not look like it's functioning at all. It feels dry and the foot is starting to look like a claw. See photo. I also notice that she leans on the side of her good foot so she tends to lay there a little lopsided. Finally, her quack is silent. She looks like she quacks but no sound comes out. I don't know if all of this is related but if anyone can give me a clue, I would appreciate it greatly!

 

[Isaac 0]

Welcome to BYC!

Could you upload a video of the duckling walking to a video platform like Youtube or Vimeo, and copy/paste the link here?

What exactly are you feeding her, and what brand of niacin supplement are you using?

 

[mibofa17]

Hello everyone,

I'm new being a duck mommy and my welsh harlequin stopped walking. One day she was walking, then she started limping the next day, then she stopped altogether. I did some research and saw that she may have a niacin deficiency. So I bought a supplement to put in her water (once a week), brewer's yeast (daily), and niacin pills (sprinkle here and there every few days). After a few days, I noticed that she still cannot walk, but the good news is that one foot got better and is working fine, but bad news, the other one does not look like it's functioning at all. It feels dry and the foot is starting to look like a claw. See photo. I also notice that she leans on the side of her good foot so she tends to lay there a little lopsided. Finally, her quack is silent. She looks like she quacks but no sound comes out. I don't know if all of this is related but if anyone can give me a clue, I would appreciate it greatly!

Welcome to BYC!

Could you upload a video of the duckling walking to a video platform like Youtube or Vimeo, and copy/paste the link here?

What exactly are you feeding her, and what brand of niacin supplement are you using?

Thank you fot responding to me. Attached is what I've given her. You will also see how she moves around on this youtube video.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

A couple questions-

1. When you say your duck doesn't quack, is there by any chance a very low raspy sound?

2. How long has your duck been on the niacin?

3. What brand of duck/chick feed are you using?

 

[mibofa17]

A couple questions-

1. When you say your duck doesn't quack, is there by any chance a very low raspy sound?

2. How long has your duck been on the niacin?

3. What brand of duck/chick feed are you using?

There is no sound at all. Not even a low raspy sound. She used to have a raspy sound but now it's no sound at all. I'm beginning to think she is a he.

I put her on once niacin this week but the other stuff 2-3 times already.

I was feeding her Purina duck feed pellets, but switched to a flock raiser pellets since my store didn't have the duck feed available.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

There is no sound at all. Not even a low raspy sound. She used to have a raspy sound but now it's no sound at all. I'm beginning to think she is a he.

I put her on once niacin this week but the other stuff 2-3 times already.

I was feeding her Purina duck feed pellets, but switched to a flock raiser pellets since my store didn't have the duck feed available.

I think you are right on her being a he (looks that way at least). Anyways back to the leg issues. It will take few weeks at the very least to see any improvement if it is a niacin deficiency as your duck's legs would be considered an extreme case at their current stage. Think of it as if you're filling up a water tank. It's quicker to fill up one that's 3/4 full than one that's empty and the same goes for deficiencies. You have to completely replenish nutrient levels which will take time, but there could also be damage done with how far your duck's leg issues have progressed. Honestly, if it was my duck I would take it to the vet as it's leg issues are severe. I added a picture I found on I believe Metzer's website showing the different progressions of a niacin deficiency.

 

[mibofa17]

I think you are right on her being a he (looks that way at least). Anyways back to the leg issues. It will take few weeks at the very least to see any improvement if it is a niacin deficiency as your duck's legs would be considered an extreme case at their current stage. Think of it as if you're filling up a water tank. It's quicker to fill up one that's 3/4 full than one that's empty and the same goes for deficiencies. You have to completely replenish nutrient levels which will take time, but there could also be damage done with how far your duck's leg issues have progressed. Honestly, if it was my duck I would take it to the vet as it's leg issues are severe. I added a picture I found on I believe Metzer's website showing the different progressions of a niacin deficiency.

Yes, I've seen that photo. I want to but I cannot bring her to the vet. I'm unemployed because of the pandemic and it's been tough to find another job. I'm not getting unemployment because I just started that job and I'm paying back unemployment because last last company said that I left when they are the ones who let me go...ugh...that's another problem. Anyway, I can't afford it. I will do what I can at this point until I can't Thank you for your help.

 

[Isaac 0]

I don't really think niacin is his problem for several reasons which I'll explain why.

With niacin deficiencies you're likely to see a slow decline in their state of health, I noticed you said this happened over a few days, that is very short of time for a bird to go from healthy to being crippled. Also, realize he is a Welsh Harelqiun, which is classified as a lighter-weight breed, so unlike Pekins, they're going to be much less likely to suffer from niacin problems, you're also feeding him a niacin rich diet, to begin with.

Not that it matters too much, but you're niacin capsules are flush-free, and therefore won't be readily absorbed into his system, you need plain niacin capsules.

You don't have to listen to me if you don't want, but I'd suggest a very broad and aggressive treatment. That would include antibiotics, NSAID's, water therapy, vitamins, and rest. If you want to follow through with my suggestion, just say so, and I'll go more into depth about it.

 

[mibofa17]

I don't really think niacin is his problem for several reasons which I'll explain why.

With niacin deficiencies you're likely to see a slow decline in their state of health, I noticed you said this happened over a few days, that is very short of time for a bird to go from healthy to being crippled. Also, realize he is a Welsh Harelqiun, which is classified as a lighter-weight breed, so unlike Pekins, they're going to be much less likely to suffer from niacin problems, you're also feeding him a niacin rich diet, to begin with.

Not that it matters too much, but you're niacin capsules are flush-free, and therefore won't be readily absorbed into his system, you need plain niacin capsules.

You don't have to listen to me if you don't want, but I'd suggest a very broad and aggressive treatment. That would include antibiotics, NSAID's, water therapy, vitamins, and rest. If you want to follow through with my suggestion, just say so, and I'll go more into depth about it.

Thank you for your input. It is very helpful and i would like to learn more about it in detail.