Duckling can't walk

[KateK1N9]

I have a duckling that is a few weeks old, it's was doing great up until a few days ago when we saw that it was walking on it's whole leg as well as the feet. We kept an eye on it but it got progressively worse ( started falling to it's side and couldn't keep up with the other ducklings) so we caught it and put it in a big cage with some other ducklings, but it just couldn't stand or move around to get food and water especially in such a big cage, so we took it inside and put it in a smaller cage so it could get to it's food easier, just until it got better ( at this stage it could still move around) I went away for a night and my mum looked after it but she is known to not look after things properly, so when I came back today I found it lying in it's own filth (not alot) and had no energy, so I gave it a bit of water with a syringe thingy because it was making noises like it was thirsty (like smacking tongue like it was drinking? Idk how else to explain it) and it drank a bit of it, but it kept doing that so I tried to give it some mash but it wouldn't eat, so I took it out side for a bit because maybe some fresh air will do it good ( it didn't help and is still doing that noise with head movements). What I have noticed is that it is very tired and when it trys to walk it falls on it's side and can't get up. It also has started these little shaking spasm things? I've ordered some brewer's yeast Incase it has niacine defeciancy but I don't know if it will make it in time because we live so far out. Also it looks like it has trouble keeping it's head up sometimes.
It's sleeping in my arms right now and it's just breaking my heart, what's wrong with it and how can I help it???
Here is a video of the duckling doing it's little head thing:

**EDIT**
Thank you for everyone's input as I have learned so much and will hopefully be better prepared if there is a next time, but it thought I should inform you all that Polly (the duckling) died this morning. Rest assured, I gave her (I think?) a nice funeral and buried it in a special place with much love.

 

[cheezenkwackers]

I am so sorry you are going through this. It might be a neurological problem it was born (hatched) with. If so, you are doing all the right things but it still may not make it. If it does and is still alive when the brewer’s yeast arrives it won’t hurt to try that.

 

[KateK1N9]

I am so sorry you are going through this. It might be a neurological problem it was born (hatched) with. If so, you are doing all the right things but it still may not make it. If it does and is still alive when the brewer’s yeast arrives it won’t hurt to try that.

Thank you so much, that's what I was thinking, but I'm just a little confused as to why it is showing now and not when it was hatched? It was completely normal and healthy up until a few days ago....

 

[NinjiChicki]

I'm still new to ducklings, with only a couple hand full of them, all grown now. Sounds like you are doing everything right. Possibly a nearby pharmacy might have niacin you could pick up tomorrow? They come in liquid and powdered form, just add to water.. But other than that I'm not sure what else you could try, just going to send positive vibes your and your duckies way.

 

[RosemaryDuck]

I'm so sorry about your duckling. l'll tag some others who might have some advice for you.

@Isaac 0
@Eggcessive

 

[Eggcessive]

I know little about ducks, but giving 1/4 tablet of human B complex would supply plenty of niacin (B3.) I will tag @Miss Lydia and @Isaac 0 for additional help. If you can take a short video or some pictures of the little one standing or walking, it might help. Then post it on YouTube or Vimeo with a link posted here.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I agree B complex is always best when one is already having issues with walking.
take the 1/4 tab and crush it and put on the little one's feed if it's eating.
It's little chest seems awfully large could it have eaten something besides it's normal feed like bedding? or is just the way it's laying? If you could get human liquid B complex you could carefully syringe that and know for sure it is getting the proper dose.

 

[KateK1N9]

I know little about ducks, but giving 1/4 tablet of human B complex would supply plenty of niacin (B3.) I will tag @Miss Lydia and @Isaac 0 for additional help. If you can take a short video or some pictures of the little one standing or walking, it might help. Then post it on YouTube or Vimeo with a link posted here.

Okay will do! I'll wait for the morning though because it's currently 2:40am thank you so much

 

[KateK1N9]

I agree B complex is always best when one is already having issues with walking.
take the 1/4 tab and crush it and put on the little one's feed if it's eating.
It's little chest seems awfully large could it have eaten something besides it's normal feed like bedding? or is just the way it's laying? If you could get human liquid B complex you could carefully syringe that and know for sure it is getting the proper dose.

Thank you so much! I thought it's chest was looking quite big aswell but the only bedding it's been on lately is a towel, I don't think any pharmacys around me sell B complex though, would there be any other way?

 

[Isaac 0]

I would ensure the temperature you are keeping the duckling is adequately warm (near 85F- watch for overheating). Since you are dealing with a small-bodied mass bird that is not eating, thermoregulation will be hard to control which will lead to rapid deterioration in its condition.

I would offer only warm fluids, and consider getting some poultry electrolytes at your feed store. If not avail, many mixture recipes can be found online (exp, molasses, sugar, salt).

The neck movements can be indicative of a foreign blockage, or aspiration of fluids. Since you said this recently started to occur, I would be unsure whether this is the origin of the problem or merely something that occurred due to its poor state. A physical examination, specifically around the upper chest, feeling for abnormalities may be helpful. Do you have any pictures of its droppings or any more videos?