Have a bit of a situation

[Mama ducks]

I have raised more than 100 mallard ducks and I have a 3 man flock currently about 8 weeks old and one of them is showing signs I have never experienced. First off she walks with her head resting on her body, second she has no interest in food, I just got her drinking on her own again but still won’t eat. When she tries to walk she falls forward and she is unable to stand or preen. Now after reading all that ducks can have she seems to fall under everything . The other two dicks are healthy and making flight . She still doesn’t have her flight feathers in, she was kinda of a runt of the flock and I’m wondering if it isn’t bullying,because the largest one does seem to pick at her and singled out a bit. Her poop is clear fluid with light and dark green. Please help if you can I’m at a loss here!

 

[Duckworth]

@casportpony @Miss Lydia

 

[Miss Lydia]

If you think it’s bullying then place her somewhere with a buddy so she isn’t being harassed and can eat and drink. Hopefully she’ll come around. Also there is a condition called failure to thrive. I’d def try the first and see if The bullying may be the problem.

 

[Mama ducks]

Well harassment is one thing, but why would should lose her ability to stand and preen herself she falls over. Is it weakness due to deprived food and such by other ducks? I also wonder if it’s the mossy fungi stuff off the oak trees?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Is she eating the fungi? That I don't know maybe call a plant nursery sand see if they know if it's poisonous? Do you offer niacin when your ducklings are first hatched and until 10 weeks of age? If feeding chick starter they don't get enough niacin which is very important for young water fowl. Once they already have a serious issue like your seeing it's best to use a liquid B complex TSC carries one in their cattle section that's the best we have seen. She'll need 1 ml a day over a tasty treat so she get the full dose. Use this daily until you see 100% improvement then for a week more then move to Nutritional yeast. 1 Tablespoon over each cup of feed you serve. My birds eat it I just sprinkle it over the top of their feed. About the niacin deficiency some ducklings can hatch and eat chick starter and never show any symptoms of a deficiency but then you'll have one that does like your little duck or there maybe more and it doesn't get noticed as much because there are a lot of ducklings but niacin deficiency is very prevalent in young water fowl and if left untreated can kill them. Not saying this is your ducklings problem but it's easy to find out by getting the liquid b and treating and what her body doesn't need she'll just pee out. If she has been bullied away from her feed then she maybe malnourished so keeping her and a buddy together while using the liquid B complex is a must so you can watch how she Is doing. Oh and the liquid B complex will say injectable but just peel off the foil and use a dropper to take out 1 ml keep in the frig.

 

[Duckworth]

Nutritional yeast is not the same as baking yeast, but you should be able to find it, or brewers yeast in the health food section of the grocery store.

 

[DuckyDonna]

Is she eating the fungi? That I don't know maybe call a plant nursery sand see if they know if it's poisonous? Do you offer niacin when your ducklings are first hatched and until 10 weeks of age? If feeding chick starter they don't get enough niacin which is very important for young water fowl. Once they already have a serious issue like your seeing it's best to use a liquid B complex TSC carries one in their cattle section that's the best we have seen. She'll need 1 ml a day over a tasty treat so she get the full dose. Use this daily until you see 100% improvement then for a week more then move to Nutritional yeast. 1 Tablespoon over each cup of feed you serve. My birds eat it I just sprinkle it over the top of their feed. About the niacin deficiency some ducklings can hatch and eat chick starter and never show any symptoms of a deficiency but then you'll have one that does like your little duck or there maybe more and it doesn't get noticed as much because there are a lot of ducklings but niacin deficiency is very prevalent in young water fowl and if left untreated can kill them. Not saying this is your ducklings problem but it's easy to find out by getting the liquid b and treating and what her body doesn't need she'll just pee out. If she has been bullied away from her feed then she maybe malnourished so keeping her and a buddy together while using the liquid B complex is a must so you can watch how she Is doing. Oh and the liquid B complex will say injectable but just peel off the foil and use a dropper to take out 1 ml keep in the frig.

 

[quackiemama]

I hope your girl gets better!

 

[Mama ducks]

Thank you for all the helpful information, and she had made small improvements... walking a little better she has started preening her feathers, while sitting, and getting water on her own without falling into it. But she still turns her nose to food... should I try some other feed or food product? To she has only had molasses’s water as calories for two days...and she really doesn’t or can’t use her head and neck like normal she keeps it rested on her body or resting her beak on the ground...are these also elements of niacin deficiency?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Could she have gotten into any type of toxin? Lumber neck can be botulism. You might try a warm soupy feed sometimes they will drink before eating.