Duckling can't stand or walk

[Alycea]

Hoping some people have some ideas for me. I have a 1 week old duckling. The mother, our pet mallard duck Maggie, has abandoned her. We took the duckling into our home yesterday, spent the day together gardening. All was fine. This morning we woke to find her limping slightly and this has progressively got worse with the morning. Now when she sits her legs are straight out in front of her, like she is trying to brace herself, toes splayed, not curled. She can not stand, but pushes her rump into my hand and seems to be trying to push herself up. When sitting, when she tries to mover her legs, they are flinging about over her body and head. Her tiny wings are reaching outward.

Her head is up and strongly held. She is alert, actually making happy peeps, though overall quieter than normal. She is grooming herself, though not able to do the underside due to lack of leg use.

She does not appear to want to eat or drink, though this could be due to difficulty with getting near the bowl with her feet out in front of her. I have held her and tipped the bowl and she does eat, but not a lot and its obviously not a good position for her.

I have put her in warm water for swimming to test/strengthen the legs and she gets very distressed, calling loudly.

She falls asleep alot, and seems happiest when simply cupped/snuggled in my hand.

I thought niacin deficiency, but she has worsened so quickly I am now thinking it must be something else.

It is Sunday, so no shops or vets open (we are in France). Any suggestions, experience, etc welcome.

 

[chickens really]

Possibly that is why Momma abandoned the Duckling?...She knew it wasn't okay....

 

[Alycea]

Possibly that is why Momma abandoned the Duckling?...She knew it wasn't okay....

Possibly, ducks do have a sense about this. But she is also not a very good mother. Never has been. She has interest for a few days then loses interest in them. We think this is because she hatched in our home and we didn't have other ducks for her to learn from. Her daughters are much better.

 

[chickens really]

Niacin needs to be given for a week before you see results ..It depends on how bad they are?...Ill tag someone for you..

@Miss Lydia

 

[Miss Lydia]

Yes don't give up too quick be sure if you use niacin you get "plain Niacin" not flush free or time released. Best to me is Nutritional yeast has much better source of B's and is natural. 1 Tab per cup of feed or 150mgs or plain niacin to 1 gal of water. Hopefully this is what it is and will correct itself soon.

Keep trying with the water maybe something smaller but where she can still float so she tries to use her legs. Always stay right with them while in water and make sure it's nice and warm. You might place your hand under her while she is in the water so she feels secure till she gets use to the feeling of floating.

 

[Alycea]

Yes don't give up too quick be sure if you use niacin you get "plain Niacin" not flush free or time released. Best to me is Nutritional yeast has much better source of B's and is natural. 1 Tab per cup of feed or 150mgs or plain niacin to 1 gal of water. Hopefully this is what it is and will correct itself soon.

Keep trying with the water maybe something smaller but where she can still float so she tries to use her legs. Always stay right with them while in water and make sure it's nice and warm. You might place your hand under her while she is in the water so she feels secure till she gets use to the feeling of floating.

Thanks first thing tomorrow I will try to get Niacin. What I am worried about is she will not eat or drink anything. I am giving her water with carbon through a dripper in case she ingested something toxic yesterday in the garden. And she is sleeping almost all the time. Yet still she makes happy noises between sleeping.