Duckling hatching question

[froggie71]

What a cutie!

 

[FenDruadin]

Adorable!!!! He is just so sweet.

And no, this is not a huge duckling problem. It is just a problem that comes up in any kind of fowl because, let's face it, nature's approach to propagating animals like this is to make them in quantity, not necessarily quality. By which I mean, in the wild, prey animals (like most fowl) make lots of babies and they make them fast because they simply don't expect them all (or even most) to make it to adulthood. As a result, you get cripples from time to time. I think the average, if your incubation is correct and other factors are in line (such as nutritious feed for your egg layers), is for cripples to represent less than 5% of your hatchlings (in ducks). I've never raised chickens, but it's my impression that they actually have higher rates of deformities and death among hatchlings--ducks are quite hardy by comparison.

It is true, however, that when you *do* have trouble with ducklings, it is often leg trouble. It's their weak point, just like the stomach is a weak point in horses and hips are a weak point in large dogs.

Laurelm--Make sure you are supplementing Scooter's water (or feed) with niacin. Ducks have a higher need for niacin that is not met in chick feed (there is *some* niacin in chick feed--but not enough). And niacin has a strong impact on the strength of legs. You can either get some brewer's yeast and mix it in the food (which is the easiest thing, IF you can find brewer's yeast--usually at health food stores and always at brewer supply stores if you can find one), or you can buy niacin gel caps at the pharmacy and mix it in the water. If you use the gel caps, you must get the dosage right, as it can be toxic in large doses. The maximum is 500mg per gallon of water. I use 250 to be safe, and it *seems* to be enough in my ducks. Don't get the "flush-free" sort as it has extra chemicals, and the "slow release" type tends not to dissolve well. Just plain old ordinary 500 or 250mg niacin gel caps is what you want. Just break the cap open over the water and stir to dissolve. If you have separate drinking and swimming water, you can mix the higher dose (500mg) in the drinking water and leave the swimming water alone (since they will drink some of it, it will dilute the dosage overall).

Good luck to Scooter. He's already doing better than Chance was.

 

[Feathered Wings]

GO Scooter! I'm rootin for you!

 

[Laurelm]

Thank you both.

Heather I will go out and get some niacin tomorrow. Scooter in is in with 4 chicks - will the niacin be okay for them too?

I am just using one of those little waters - you know the plastic ones with the difference color bottoms. I guess as far as dosage I'll error on the side of caution and go light. or i guess i could mix a gallon with the dosage you gave me a refill from that! That's what I'll do.

Thanks again to everyone! Your kind thoughts are helping Scooter get on his feet!!!

 

[FenDruadin]

Laurelm--since you have chicks in there, you would be safer using the brewer's yeast if you can find it. Extra niacin can be toxic to chicks, though there is some room for error on either side. Still, the brewer's yeast is completely safe for everyone and will have the same benefits for Scooter. You just sprinkle it liberally on the food.

 

[Cherlyn]

Sooooo cute!

~Cherlyn

 

[Laurelm]

okay off to the health food store for brewers yeast. Glad I asked about the niacin. Thank you!

I saw Scooter stand up and flap his little wing this morning - so darn cute. Now for his daily swimming therapy!