Duckling cannot walk, dark poop

[HollyDucks]

Hello,

I have a duckling who cannot walk, and has dark green borderline black stool. He can hold his head up and briefly push himself forward when trying to get away, but thats it. He isnt panting, and took in some water and unmedicated turkey feed.

Has anyone experienced this before and how was it remedied?

Thankyou!

The Duck Dynasty Farm

 

[Pierre duck drake]

My ducklings did those same things and sadly all of them ended up dying. But it's definitely worth trying to save it! Give it sugar water and can I see a picture of it?

 

[Artichoke Lover]

How old is it? Can you post pictures of the duckling and of the odd poop? How long has he been like this?

 

[HollyDucks]

He just fell ill this morning.

 

[HollyDucks]

He seems to be getting weaker....his head is droopy now too.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Sorry to hear about your duckling. Is it possible it could have gotten into something toxic?

 

[Crazy Maizie]

@Quatie @HollowOfWisps @Miss Lydia

 

[Miss Lydia]

Do you always feed unmedicated turkey feed to your ducklings?
Do you supplement with any type of niacin? Not being able to walk can be a niacin deficiency. Is this ducklings been outside where it may have eaten something off the ground or is it only in a brooder?

 

[HollyDucks]

Sorry to hear about your duckling. Is it possible it could have gotten into something toxic?

I cant rule it out. His siblings are fine and i change their water daily. Their enclosure is grassy with some weeds....so really not sure what happened here

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Here is some good info if it's a toxin that the duckling got into.

https://backyardpoultry.iamcountryside.com/feed-health/a-guide-to-common-duck-diseases/
What do ducks eat? Just about anything. Ducks love to eat shiny things including spare change, screws, bolts, wire, staples or pieces of metal, which can lead to a duck disease called “hardware disease,” which isn’t really a duck disease at all but rather a type of poisoning. Signs of poisoning, whether it be from hardware disease, botulism, which is caused by bacteria found in stagnant water, or aspergillosis, which is caused by mold spores in wet feed or bedding, include lethargy, diarrhea, decreased appetite/weight, seizures, dehydration, vomiting, drooping wings, unsteadiness or difficulty walking. Toxins can work quickly, so while a visit to a vet is highly recommended in a suspected poisoning situation, feeding some molasses can help flush the toxin, as can charcoal pills, followed by lots of fresh, clean water, and of course removing the offending metal, dirty bedding or water or spoiled feed.

Epsom salt water can also flush toxins.

Listed here are the directions for each type of flush: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/flushes-for-aiding-in-toxin-removal.700526/