Duckling Splayed Leg?

[webandclaw]

I just bought two ducklings. One (khaki cambell) seemed very young compared to the other. It is also having a hard time walking and instead kind of scoots around. I did some research and figured it might be splayed leg. I am currently using a band aid brace technique. However, I am wondering if this scooting is just normal? The egg tooth just fell off this morning so maybe she is REALLY young? Help me out here. Thank you.

 

[Cayuga momma]

The egg tooth usually falls off in the first couple of days after hatch, so she must only be a few days old. You should get her some B complex to give her to help strengthen her legs. I'm not sure about the scooting, have you checked her for injuries? She might have gotten run over by the other bigger ducklings.

 

[webandclaw]

I don't see any visible injuries. But I'm not a vet...unfortunately. I will look into the B complex vitamin. Do you have any recommendations?

Also, I have separated her from the rest of my mini flock. I am hoping she will get better without the chicks running all around. She actually "looks" better away from them and her fellow duckling.

Thank you for your help.

 

[DuckyDonna]

I don't see any visible injuries. But I'm not a vet...unfortunately. I will look into the B complex vitamin. Do you have any recommendations?

Also, I have separated her from the rest of my mini flock. I am hoping she will get better without the chicks running all around. She actually "looks" better away from them and her fellow duckling.

Thank you for your help.

Tractor Supply and this is the best

 

[chickens really]

Try keeping just the Ducklings together away from the Chicks.

 

[Kkrista123]

Scooting doesn't sound too normal. Keep her separated and defiantly try the vitamin B complex and maybe some niacin. Niacin is crucial for them to develop properly! Niacin is lovely because they take in what they need and the rest just comes out the other end so there is no danger to over dosing!
What are you feeding them?
Hope your duckling feels better soon!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

This is great information about B complex and what it does.

The b vitamins helps the nervous system, helps build muscle, and build bone. And growth in all of those areas are happening at your ducklings age. From now until about 10 weeks old. We see the ducklings legs shake and wobble from being very weak under the Pekins heavy weight. Also, the weak muscles allow the hips or hocks to protrude out because the muscles don’t keep the hips tight within the socket. They can become bow legged and pigeon toed. These are all things to look for. But your duckling is young enough to fix if a vitamin deficiency is in fact the issue. Last spring (I’m sure it’s been happening before last spring but I wasn’t a BYCer then) we saw a spike in these types of issues in mainly Pekins but other breeds to a lesser degree. So it will be interesting if this spring and summer will be the same while all the little ducklings are rapidly growing.

If you buy the B complex which many of us rec you don't need niacin since it's already in the liquid.

 

[webandclaw]

OK...you all are amazing! I got B complex liquid today. Only 20mg of Niacin per serving though...how much would you recommend I give directly to my little duckling? I mixed it in with all my new brood's water supply. 120mg of Niacin per gallon.

Also...I isolated her because her companion duck is a bit of an a-hole!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Which did you get? From where?

 

[PaulX]

If the egg tooth just fell off, I'd give it one more day before worrying.

I've hatched ducklings 2 times, both times they stilled looked like they had splayed legs at 1 day old, especially on smoother surfaces. They only got steady feet at 2 days old.

Still, some niacin supplement wouldn't hurt at all.