Duck Legs/Feet

[ducklingsTN]

Hi,

I have 4 ducks that are allowed to kind of roam around an acre lot. It has a mix of grass and kind of a forest area w/ blackberries/ferns/etc. Anyway, these four ducks (2 hybrid 300, 2 welshies, so big ducks) seem to constantly have leg problems that appear and then go away after 3 or 4 days. And they all take turns with these issues, generally the then healthy ones will run around excitingly quacking while the injured ones limp behind.

They received tons of niacin growing up. They are probably a bit overweight, as they get into the chicken coop and eat their food during the day. Will ducks over eat big time if given the opportunity? If so, what should 4 ducks eat per day if they have access to insects, grass, etc?

The other thing is they probably end up in areas they don't belong like the forest area or else are jumping out of the pool, etc. But I would think they would be hardy enough to deal with that kind of stuff, chickens have no problems and have the same range.

Anyone else have these problems with their entire flock?

 

[Angel101]

My ducks roam free and I only had 1 who limped for awhile the reason was because they were getting on top of things and running everywhere. So it's best to watch them an see what may be causing them to limp.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Ducks don't have the strongest legs to begin with. Have you checked the bottom of their feet for bumble foot? and do they have a way out of the pool so they don't have to jump bricks steps ramp etc? Also walking on briars can lead to bumble too if thorns get in the feet. My ducks forage on lil over a half acre and still eat like they are starving. So maybe they need some extra nourishment beside just foraging.