Duckling with niacin deficiency not recovering!

[Kw92]

A week ago I had a duckling that suddenly stopped walking due to a niacin deficiency, even though I was supplementing with brewer's yeast. The other ducklings had stopped walking shortly after too. After adding in Rooster Poultry Cell, the other ducklings all recovered, but the one still made no recovery.

I saw from a post here that Durvet injectable vitamin b complex is a good treatment, so a couple days ago I added this as well and have been primarily supplementing with this. I've also started a new feed that includes niacin, while also adding brewer's yeast into it. I've been giving it 1 ml of the vitamin b complex, in addition to adding it to it's water. Also, I frequently give it treats covered with brewer's yeast.

It's growth has been stunted, the poor thing. It used to be the biggest and now it is the smallest. It just kind of flops forward in order to occasionally get around, but I have to frequently put it near its food and water since it can't really get along well.

Is there still hope for this little guy? He's about 5 weeks old. I'm worried he won't recover, since it's already been a week

 

[2ndTink]

I don't have ducks but I'll tag a couple people who do.

@KathiQuacks @LydiaB

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Are you sure it's a niacin deficiency? They didn't get into something toxic did they?
Niacin deficiencies take time to reverse. You might have to separate this one to make sure it's eating and drinking just fine. Add some scrambled egg in as well as the the vitamin b complex.

I will tag some people to help.

@HollowOfWisps
@Miss Lydia

 

[2ndTink]

Are you sure it's a niacin deficiency? They didn't get into something toxic did they?
Niacin deficiencies take time to reverse. You might have to separate this one to make sure it's eating and drinking just fine. Add some scrambled egg in as well as the the vitamin b complex.

I will tag some people to help.

@HollowOfWisps
@Miss Lydia

Thanks for jumping in!

 

[LydiaB]

I’m not sure I can help. I don’t have a ton of experience with deficiencies. The past two years I have had failure to thrive ducklings- in both cases they were late hatches (one I bought from a local breeder, this year he is home hatched). They seem to have niacin deficiency but no matter how much I supplement they don’t grow and eventually stop walking and die. My little guy is 3 weeks now. His hatch mates grew tons over the weekend but he didn’t. He’s about half the size of the next smallest. He is still acting normal, but from my experience last year I don’t expect him to make it. Sometimes no matter how hard we try it’s just not meant to be.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Are you diluting the poultry cell in water or giving it directly orally? I agree if it is severe to the point he stopped walking it can take weeks even a month+ for improvement especially if it caused any rotation of the hock.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I think you should separate him so you can treat him and make sure he is eating and drinking, how is his poop? I wouldn't give up keep him with another buddy if you can so he won't be lonesome but this way you can monitor and make sure he is eating and drinking. Lots of swim time to build up muscles can help too just be sure to supervise any water therapy. Are you giving the B complex orally or over something it is best to give directly
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...dications-to-all-poultry-and-waterfowl.73335/ just in case you need it. I'd do the Poultry cell the same.