Feed switch and limping ????

[PetesMom]

I really don't understand whats going on with these boys of mine lol We are on our 2nd bag of Flock Raiser now, switched over from Dumor. And ever since we switched the boys, JUST the boys, have been limping. For a couple days it was our Gander, then our pekin, then our khaki, and right now its the welsh harlequin boy. Seems like they are all taking turns. I have picked every one of them up and checked their legs and feet out and everything seems fine

has me baffled. Not sure if it has anything to do with the food change or not but it started a little after we switched. Should I put them all back on Dumor?

 

[70%cocoa]

I would add a vitamin supplement ASAP. If you can go back to the old feed that'd be good too but you could just try a vitamin supplement in their water first. I think you are right that it is the new feed and I don't think it has the nutrients that they need. When there is a nutrient deficiency in feed not every bird will be affected by it. Even if you go back to the old feed I would still continue to give a vitamin supplement to overcome the deficiency they seem to have developed.

Are they getting enough sun? They need a bit of outdoor time as well do they can produce their own vitamin D.

It's possible that it's it an illness rather than a vitamin problem but I would be betting on vitamins at this point.

Let us know how they go!

 

[PetesMom]

Ok will add some vitamins to their water asap! Will start it tonight actually! Yes they are outside all day! They go back into their pen at night due to predators lurking so they get plenty of sun. Once we are done with this bag of feed I will be switching them back to Dumor. I would hate to waste 30 or so lbs of feed :/

 

[70%cocoa]

That sounds like a very good plan

I think that if you supply the vitamin supplement you will not need to waste the feed.

I hope that you see an improvement. If it is a vitamin problem then they should improve fairly quickly.

Sounds like they are getting plenty of sunshine too.

 

[jdywntr]

Unless you were feeding Dumor starter, the Flock Raiser is higher in protein than most of the Dumor products. Flock Raiser is 20% protein. Dumor, if you were feeding the grower/finisher is 15%. The added protein in the flock raiser could be affecting them. Try the vitamins but both are complete feeds so their shouldn't be a need for them (I think).
Do you supplement niacin? I would try that first if you are not for any leg issues.

 

[70%cocoa]

I should have asked how old your ducks and gander were...I assumed they were very young and still growing, but now I realise that may not be the case. If the affected ones have finished growing then it is not likely to be a vitamin problem (though vitamins won't hurt!). If they have finished growing then possibly it is something in the feed.... Sorry for not asking about thast before.

Also - is their water kept nice and clean? Do they have access to any stagnant water?

 

[jdywntr]

I agree with 70%cocoa. Neither of us asked age and I was assuming older not younger.

But I think both of us hit several points. Feed change, vitamins, protein, supplements....
Good luck.

 

[PetesMom]

The ducks are 3 months old and the gander 4-5. Their water bucket gets changed twice and day and their pool gets changed every other. They were eating Dumor Grower/Finisher. We are going to put them back on that once this feed is gone. And I went and got the vitamin/electrolyte supplement at TSC and it has niacin in it.

 

[70%cocoa]

Sounds like the water situation is all good then.

I would see how they go with the vitamins...but if it continues then I would change the feed back to the Dumor. It's possible that something has been added to the new feed by the manufacturer in a quantity that was too high....it can happen. It might be worth contacting the manufacturer to see if any other problems have been reported.

Make sure they are getting plenty of fresh greens too - that will help balance out the protein.

Let us know how they go!

 

[sherrik9]

The ducks are 3 months old and the gander 4-5. Their water bucket gets changed twice and day and their pool gets changed every other. They were eating Dumor Grower/Finisher. We are going to put them back on that once this feed is gone. And I went and got the vitamin/electrolyte supplement at TSC and it has niacin in it.

What product at TSC has niacin in it? I've been adding brewers yeast along with rooster booster a probiotic(sp). Would be nice to find an all in one.
Thanks