Duck leg issues and tail bobbing

DarklingDucks

In the Brooder
May 29, 2025
2
10
12
I have 4 week old ducks two runners and two cayugas. One of my runners who is the runt of the group seems to be having leg issues. Shes become wobbly and tends to lay down instead of run around with her sisters and I feel like its making her eat less and not wash her nostrils properly. Shes on a waterfowl starter so shes getting the recommended protein and niacin and had vitametz in her water the first five days. Shes seemed stronger and normal her first 3 days and then has slowly become less mobile. Im not sure if she needs more niacin than the others or if shes having an alignment or spraddle issues. I also cant tell if she is tail bobbing or if Im a paranoid new duck mom!!! Im trying to figure out if it’s leg issues, respiratory, or “mom anxiety “ 🦆🖤
 

Attachments

  • IMG_5745.jpeg
    IMG_5745.jpeg
    327.5 KB · Views: 8
I have 4 week old ducks two runners and two cayugas. One of my runners who is the runt of the group seems to be having leg issues. Shes become wobbly and tends to lay down instead of run around with her sisters and I feel like its making her eat less and not wash her nostrils properly. Shes on a waterfowl starter so shes getting the recommended protein and niacin and had vitametz in her water the first five days. Shes seemed stronger and normal her first 3 days and then has slowly become less mobile. Im not sure if she needs more niacin than the others or if shes having an alignment or spraddle issues. I also cant tell if she is tail bobbing or if Im a paranoid new duck mom!!! Im trying to figure out if it’s leg issues, respiratory, or “mom anxiety “ 🦆🖤
Pearl does not have spraddle leg but she is unsteady. The first assumption with gait issues like this is niacin deficiency. Some ducklings need more than others and more than in starter crumbles.

I would treat with durvet high level Vit B compound bought from your feedstore or Amazon. Dose 1ml orally per day. Soak it into a few mealworms or crumbles and watch the duckling eat it to be sure it ingests the dose.

Good luck and let us know how you get on
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom