Ducklings with Shaky Legs

[Lisa198]

I wanted to share some information that I recently discovered when 2 of my three week old Indian Runner ducklings developed weak and shaky legs. They were eating, drinking and walking but would quickly tire and sit. Based off my web searches I thought this might be an early symptom of Niacin deficiency. I was already adding brewers yeast to their feed since day 1, but I started adding Niacin to their water. After a week with no improvements I contacted my vet. He thought this was a Calcium deficiency not a Niacin deficiency. He suggested I crush up some Tums and add it to their greens. I crushed 3 tums and added it to their greens/water mix in the evening, and by the next morning I wasn't expecting much change but I was wrong. That morning my babies ate their entire bowl of greens without sitting once. The shaking is now minimal and they are moving around much more without any issues. I was surprised how fast I saw the results. For anyone experiencing this issue I would highly recommend trying the Tums.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

What feed are they on?

 

[chickens really]

Yes...Your Vet was totally correct...
Glad they were able to bounce back..Too much push about niacin in my opinion and Ducklings require more than just that in the form of balance...

 

[Pyxis]

Good information Hypocalcemia definitely can be an issue! May I ask what feed you were feeding them?

Things that can cause this, aside from the feed just flat out not having enough calcium, are feeding a diet too high in phosphorus, or feeding foods high in oxalic acid, like cassava, spinach, carrots, beet leaves, lettuce, sweet potatoes, turnips, etc. They form calcium oxates that actually decrease calcium availability. And, giving too much vitamin C causes it too. So like a niacin deficiency, it's a diet issue, though a different type of one.

 

[CayugaJana]

That’s great news. Thanks for sharing! I don’t know about any other BYCers, but I would say calcium deficiency seems to be the # 2 nutritional issue related to ducklings. There could be other things that I’m just not aware of.

 

[CayugaJana]

Yes...Your Vet was totally correct...
Glad they were able to bounce back..Too much push about niacin in my opinion and Ducklings require more than just that in the form of balance...

Do you know if ducklings will instinctively nibble on oyster shell if they are lacking calcium like the adults do when they start laying? I have mine sitting out 24/7 and see ducklings pecking at it from time to time and wondered if they were playing or if they needed it.

 

[chickens really]

Do you know if ducklings will instinctively nibble on oyster shell if they are lacking calcium like the adults do when they start laying? I have mine sitting out 24/7 and see ducklings pecking at it from time to time and wondered if they were playing or if they needed it.

Never seen them use it unless laying...Tums crushed on feed is best...

 

[Blue Crow]

Thank you for this info!

I also have runners and they were having the shaky legs to some degree or other exactly like you described- I know they have been getting niacin (using the B complex stuff that smells of Vegemite) so I crushed 3 tums tums and put them in their evening mash and this morning no shaky legs. They are eating Dumor grower finisher and the calcium is .6 to 1.1 % according to the label so my plan is to add 2 crushed tums per pound of food to their free choice dry and their evening mash which should (barring an unknown milling error where calcium is lower then the minim) bump the calcium per pound up to .9% - 1.4% and Ill ajust upwards if symptoms return - I recall these having lot number so if all my bags are same lot Ill keep doing this with all of this lot or until they are old enough to get oyster shell.

Ducky milk fever cured hopefully

 

[Pyxis]

Interesting that both of you had Indian Runners that had this issue. I wonder if runners are more susceptible to it than other duck breeds.