Duckling convulsing

[HarringtonHomestead]

So, I have 4 ducklings. The oldest, Darkwing, we picked up a week before Batman, Aquaman, and Diana Prince. Once the three littles showed up, Darkwing started randomly convulsing when we checked on them. We upped their niacin, and gave her some boiled eggs in water with some crushed eggshell for extra nutrients.

Fast forward to this week, Darkwing is ... 2 weeks plus a few days? ... and she hasn't convulsed in a few days because we have been careful to make sure she gets all extra nutrients. However, this morning, I opened the closet door (their brooder is in a big storage closet) and while she was fine before I turned the light on, I realized the light flickered and she twitched, but didn't convulse.

Are epileptic ducks a thing? Is it possible she is seizuring because the lighting in my house is horrible?

Any info would be great, as she is the best impulse buy I have ever made.

 

[HarringtonHomestead]

Darkwing is the huge one.

 

[townchicks]

I don't know much about ducks, but I do know that flickering lighting can make animals and people that are prone to seizures, have one. It may not be the base cause, but it may contribute. Can they be moved out of the closet?

 

[HarringtonHomestead]

I don't know much about ducks, but I do know that flickering lighting can make animals and people that are prone to seizures, have one. It may not be the base cause, but it may contribute. Can they be moved out of the closet?

Not at the moment. We just moved into a house in the woods, so anywhere else is either full of boxes to predators. We're in the process of building a duck and chicken compound, but they wouldn't be safe anywhere else until then.

 

[townchicks]

Maybe you can bring in a lamp for lighting, rather than use the flickering light, or leave the closet door open?

 

[HarringtonHomestead]

Maybe you can bring in a lamp for lighting, rather than use the flickering light, or leave the closet door open?

The lamp was the next plan, but she seemed okay until I saw her twitch this morning. Now, I guess it's a definite.

Can't leave the door open because the chicks are also in there, and they all have recently learned to fly. My dogs would find themselves a tasty snack in the morning if I did.

 

[townchicks]

Well, let us know if †he lamp changes things. We can all learn something. Hopefully your duckling will be fine.

 

[HarringtonHomestead]

Well, let us know if †he lamp changes things. We can all learn something. Hopefully your duckling will be fine.

She's the best. I thought I had it down to niacin deficiency, but with so many extra vits, I guess it just can't be. I highly doubt she could have been so deficient to convulse within a week since I got her at a couple days old. It would have to be a separate problem I would think.

 

[Miss Lydia]

It's mainly going from dark to light that triggers it. @CayugaJana had one that did this. Being startled. do you let them know your coming before you open the door? sing or talk to them so they know whats getting ready to happen.

 

[HarringtonHomestead]

It's mainly going from dark to light that triggers it. @CayugaJana had one that did this. Being startled. do you let them know your coming before you open the door? sing or talk to them so they know what getting ready to happen.

Yes. We're nerds, so we sing the Darkwing Duck theme song to them when we come downstairs (the doors are right next to each other).