Duckling lays on the ground after i picked it up to look at it

[Need_Not]

My duck had 12 ducklings 3 weeks ago and right now 10 are alive and i went to pick one up and i held it for a while but when i put it down it didn't move, it just sat on the ground, I did not do anything that would have hurt it's legs, I picked it up with the legs between my fingers so it can dangle their legs and not put any stress on it and when I put it on the ground it just say there I assumed maybe it was afraid to run to I went inside and watched it and it still didn't move so I went out there to maybe show it their mom but it still did nothing but when I got close to the duckling it did stand up and walk, it does walk kinda of funny like it looks like it's standing up super tall but it can walk but it chooses to sit and tbh when it flops its head down looks like it's dead but if we go close it will walk

Why is it?
Does the duckling just need to rest? What could have caused it? Will it be ok?

 

[Stipenvlerk]

I don’t think she needs to rest. I think there Is either a disease or a vitamin deficiency or something like that. Can you upload a video of the behavior?

 

[DuckyDonna]

To upload a video you have to first put it on YouTube or Vimeo. Then copy and paste the link to it on here.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Did you hold the duck on it's back at all?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Might want to read this. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/niacin-deficiency-in-waterfowl.1367557/

 

[Need_Not]

Did you hold the duck on it's back at all?

99% sure I didn't incase I did for a few seconds to possibly see something what does that mean?
Is there an easy fix?

Also if I did and that's the problem I'd feel bad because my ducks haven't had ducklings in so long and it's like im relearning things

 

[Need_Not]

Alright update: I think I did hold the duck on her back and even though they don't have feathers I'm sure it was a girl because it was very small but now a few hours later I can confirm she is ok and with the others

I'd still like to know what putting them on their back does

 

[21hens-incharge]

Alright update: I think I did hold the duck on her back and even though they don't have feathers I'm sure it was a girl because it was very small but now a few hours later I can confirm she is ok and with the others

I'd still like to know what putting them on their back does

It has to do with how birds breathe. They don't have diaphrams so putting them on their backs compromises their tiny lungs.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Holding the duckling on its back for a few minutes isn’t going to hurt it.