Duckling shaking, having a tough time walking?

[MRetriever]

My duckling is having a tough time. It is shaking uncontrollably and while it gets around it seems uncorridinated and often rolls into its back, yet sometimes it gets a good handle on it and takes a few ok splayed steps.
Other than this it’s totally fine and happy! Seems to be eating, drinking, pooping!
The brooder has a heat lamp at one end and the other end does not so they can adjust accordingly themselves and rarely are they under the light.

This started yesterday and is still going on today.

I work at a place that gets chicks and ducklings seasonally. This is my first year working there and while I’m familiar was a lot of livestock and grew up with chickens mine either died within the first day, or they lived without any problems lol.

They talked me into taking the sick duckling home yesturday (I purchased chicks the day before and did intend to get ducks too). And of course I got another one so he has a familiar and equal sized buddy.

These ducklings are I’m guessing 2.5 weeks-ish.

We give our chicks and ducklings Purina Flock Raiser and Manna Hydro-Hen 3-1.
I continued to use both when brining all my birds home.

I’m wondering is he got squished or hurt. There was about 40 ducklings and then we were down to about 20 when this happened...
or course now he has a lot more space haha.

I did read about Niacan defficency but they only eat Flock Raiser...

Any advice would be appreciated as I have already grown fond of “Spazz and Tazz”.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Even a duckling that eats Flock Raiser can still have a niacin def and it can be treated so easy it's always best to start there. Get the Liquid B Complex for cattle it will say injectable but we give it orally 1ml daily or give it human Liquid b complex 3ml daily Usually it only take 3-5 days to see improvement if this is the issue. Adorable little Spazz and Tazz and if legs are splayed you can make a hobble to help there. Usually take only a day or two for that to work.

http://www.thepocketfarmer.com/the-pocket-farmer/the-mighty-hobble

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

Congrats on your new additions! They're adorable! And kudos for being willing to help an animal with special needs.

While there could be congenital issues or, as you suggested, possible injury, without evidence of injury, I'd approach this as a possible nutritional deficiency of some sort. There are a number of deficiencies that could cause similar symptoms, so a broad-based supplement would be my choice. This thread may be helpful: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/does-my-duck-have-a-vitamin-deficiency.1014183/.

Hoping that the extra vitamins/minerals help and that your little one is doing better soon!

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Try to give them a supervised bath in warm water to relax everything. Watch if your duckling is moving the legs as the other's do.

 

[MRetriever]

Will do all the above!

This is going to sound stupid but can they swim being so young? Like should I swim them in warm water then keep them inside until fully dry? They are in the garage and have the lamp but it’s still 50 degrees in there at best and probably closer to 40 in there today because of the cold. (Or course it’s like 100+- degrees under the lamp)

 

[Miss Lydia]

They need nice warm water and after taking them out pat dry then placed under heat lamp until dry. They never should chill.

 

[DuckyDonna]

Yes, they can swim but watch them every second. Yes, warm water and yes keep them dry until you put them back in the garage. Maybe could you bring them inside the house where it's warmer and put them in the laundry room or someplace like that?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Be sure to start them with water to top of legs and gradually add water as they get use to it like over the course of a few days till they are floating. Never leave them alone they can get water logged pretty quick with just down. They will have a blast and you’ll enjoy watching them. Pics when you can!

 

[MRetriever]

So we are on day 3 of giving High B Complex and daily swims in warm water.

I actually gave Spazz B complex twice today because a few hours after getting it he seems to have more strength, then he/she peeters out as the day goes. So I’ll try twice a day.

While I’m still optimistic at this point I was wondering how long would you allow this to go on before you gave up? How far do I let it go before it’s inhumane?

This duckling is eating, drinking, pooping great.... it’s bright eyed and pleasant. So it’s making it soooo tough to see if it will have a long term quality of life in the chance that it does not get better.

It cannot really stand. It shuffles around to eat and drink fine but it appears to just not have the strength to get itself up... it is still shaking uncontrollably. Every once and a while it does get straight up for a normal step.

It seems to be unable to get straight up regularly though, and when it does get up it almost wants to walk on its top toes instead of walking regular?

I keep watching it compared to the normal one and I cannot figure it out. It’s hard to see if it is lacking strength, or if it’s somthing else.

I’m sure so could keep it alive forever... but I’m not sure that would be fair or a good quality of life.

How long on the high b complex until I know if it’s just not going to work?

Any other ideas or suggestions?

 

[MRetriever]

Oh and A few times a day in addition to the swims I do handle the duckling and attempt to help it stretch its legs and support it trying to get it to walk normal. Incase it needs to learn how to walk all over.