Duck leg issues and tail bobbing

[DarklingDucks]

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 “

https://imgur.com/a/REePosb

https://imgur.com/a/REePosb

 

[ruthhope]

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 “

https://imgur.com/a/REePosb

https://imgur.com/a/REePosb

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

 

[DarklingDucks]

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

She is still sitting a lot but her legs are getting sturdier when she is up and about!

 

[ruthhope]

She is still sitting a lot but her legs are getting sturdier when she is up and about!

Good to know that. Keep up the vitB/Niacin!

Are you able to give her swimmingcsessions so that she exercises and strengthens her legs without her full weight on them? A child's wading pool might be deep enough fir a duckling but juveniles and adult ducks need something deeper to swim. I have a long, deep tote. Its my brooder but also my swimming pool for bigger ducklings

 

[DarklingDucks]

I haven't had them swim yet they hit 2 weeks old on Monday and Ive read to not have them get in water until 3-5 weeks old not sure if thats correct! She also does tend to get chilly quicker than the others being the runt!

 

[ruthhope]

You are correct about swimming, but at 2 weeks under supervision, ducklings can swim for a few minutes at a time in, for example, a washing up bowl. I have my rescued muscovy ducklings swimming from as soon as I receive them as they would be taken by their mama duck into water from the get go. Its just important to supervise, and not let them get waterlogged. Photo of my current jumbo pekins swimming at 2-3 weeks. Note no feathers