duckling found, it shakes a lot,(new videos added) Please help!

[Happyflower]

I have 2 one- year old Rouen ducks who are doing great. A friend of my mine found a wild duck in her yard that was just hatched maybe 3 days or so ago The nest was abandoned apparently. Looks like a mallard to me.

I agreed to help the little duck out but this one is a lot smaller then my other 2 when they were little. I have a heat lamp and all the normal gear. He is eating soggy starter feed well, drinking fine, but the shaking is what has me concerned. Is this normal for a just hatched duck, or is there something probably wrong with it? It is flinging itself all over the place, doesn't seem to be walking normal. But doesn't shake at all when it is sleeping. Any ideas? I can try to up load a you tube video tomorrow if that would help.

 

[Cindiloohoo]

Video would definately help.

 

[duckyfromoz]

It sounds like maybe something neurological- But may also be as simple as Thiamine deficiency. Will wait for the video to comment futher.

 

[Happyflower]

My daughter is the who can take the video and she is sleeping right now, so I will post one ASAP tomorrow. I was thinking it could be neurological, but wouldn't it also shake when it sleeps too?

 

[Happyflower]

Here is a my face video that my friend posted. I am not sure if this link will work for everyone or what her privately setting are.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=531437549705

See if this works...

 

[duckyfromoz]

Ok.. I did see it. It is different from the symptoms of Thiamine Deficiency- I would say something neurological - but exactly what - I couldnt be clear. I dont really know if the shaking would continue while they were sleeping- I might expect some movement- but not as severe as when it is awake. It could have been caused by a number of things- from falling out of a nest - to nutritional or genetic problems. I think all you can really do is keep it warm- And give it some water and good quality food with a vitamin suppliment and hope it may improve over time. Sorry I cant be of more help- I have just never seen something exactly like that before.

 

[Happyflower]

Thanks duckyfromoz,

I am glad you can see the video. I will do what I can for the little thing. He sure ate a ton of food for me last night so I know he was hungry. It loves to be held, and cheeps VERY LOUDLY when I put him down! (spoiled already) LOL

 

[Happyflower]

Here is some more video clips my daughter just took this morning of him sleeping and walking (and pooing! lol)

 

[WestKnollAmy]

I talked to the owner of a feed store the other day and was trying to get him to get in some non medicated starter for my ducklings. He insisted that ducks could eat medicated but I told him no way would I feed it but my ducklings are not happy with the organic chick starter either so I wanted to get a non medicated in a 50# bag since they loved the 5# bag I had bought.
Anyhow, he said all the Mallards they got in from a hatchery had to be destroyed because they were doing as you describe. There were about 50 of them and they just couldn't walk without falling over or shaking a lot. And they had been feeding them medicated, too.

 

[Happyflower]

That is so sad

I hope someone might have another idea of what it could be. This one was found in the wild, well suburban wild anyway, so I don't think it is the feed.