Duck limp

[Napoleon&Francois]

Hi my duck Napoleon has been limping for quite sometime now and it's only getting worse to the point where he can't lift his head up and uses his beak to hold himself up. He still drinks water and eats some food and wobbles around chasing the other duck, Francois. Napoleon can't swim anymore. I don't know if you guys may know what it is he has, he is 4 months old and while the other duck, same age already has his feathers rather than the fluff of baby ducks, Napoleon still has a significant amount of flufffon him.

 

[Miss Lydia]

How long has this been going on?
have you tried anything to help like niacin supplements etc?

Niacin deficiency can cause lameness and even death if not treated. I would start him on some niacin asap 150mgs per gallon of water. You can buy niacin at most large stores like Walmart CVS just either crush the tab and mix in to water or open capsule and put it into the water. It's best to get plain niacin than time released or flush free.

What are you feeding him?

 

[Napoleon&Francois]

How long has this been going on?
have you tried anything to help like niacin supplements etc?

Niacin deficiency can cause lameness and even death if not treated. I would start him on some niacin asap 150mgs per gallon of water. You can buy niacin at most large stores like Walmart CVS just either crush the tab and mix in to water or open capsule and put it into the water. It's best to get plain niacin than time released or flush free.

What are you feeding him?

He just passed away this morning. He was like this for a week. He would get better one day and the next he would be limp. I feed him chicken feed, occasionally I give them spinach, kale, banana, minced apple, oatmeal sugar free, and fresh water everyday. His brother who was with him all the time and ate the same diet hasn't shown any signs of anything, he is healthy as can be. So I don't know if it was botulism or like you said vitamin deficiency since he was smaller than his healthy brother I'm afraid maybe the bigger birds didn't let him eat.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I am so sorry to hear this.

When we notice one of our birds getting trouble it's always best to separate where everyone can see each other even with another calm duck that way you can make sure the sick or injured is eating and drinking and keep an eye on how it is doing.