HELP BROKEN OR DISLOCATED FOOT

[Miss Lydia]

I just went and checked on my ducklings (I have 6) and noticed that a couple of them have turned in legs. I just put them in the bath for the first time (they are about a week old and hope that's okay) will definitely be getting my boyfriend to get niacin. They are on chick starter feed. Is it okay for all the ducks to drink the water with the vitamins in it? Probably a stupid question I know.

Yes they need the extra vitamins plus the niacin. and bath time will help get their legs stronger too. and

and if first time duck owners you might enjoy reading through this.. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/256233/ducks-sticky-topics-index

 

[Amiga]

I feel terrible, like a bad neglecting parent. I can believe how fast they are growing and I had them in too small of a cage. I know it. I have them in a much larger cage now and will definitely have them in the tub more often. Like I said about 5 days / week ago they were walking and zipping around the tub like it was their job. Then this week was rather hectic and I neglected them a bit and this happens. It's a terrible feeling. I just want to make sure that I can fix them problem if possible before it is too late! So should I not worry about splints or bringing to a vet? Just niacine and tub time for now?

Also with the niacine can I get that anywhere? Walmart? And do I crush it and put it in their feed or water or both?

A conscience is a good thing. I suggest taking that energy you could use regretting how things happened, and use it to move forward helping the ducklings out. I suspect each of us on the forum has either made a similar mistake or at least gotten away with something potentially harmful to our littles.

Hectic weeks . . . oh yes, I have had them, too.

So.

If you can get them to a vet, especially one who "gets" ducks, do so.

If you can get niacin capsules you can open the capsule and dissolve it in water. Or you could try a different approach. Some sprinkle brewer's yeast on top of the food.

Here is what Haunted55 does with hers

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...nth-pekin-not-getting-better/20#post_11062674

I cannot make promises, but ducklings do seem to be quite resilient, and respond to TLC and care.

Miss Lydia has offered some good advice. jdywntr did a good job of writing up a concise duckling care article, so please read it, and always feel free to post questions or observations on the Duck Forum. I only regret that some days I don't get to the forum often, and I hate leaving people waiting when they are anxious.

 

[pfost262]

So I just got niacin they're 500mg tablets buys its all they had. So ill just cut them open and use a bit of the powder inside. That should work right?

 

[Whooper]

Is this a common problem with first time duck owners?

 

[pfost262]

And I don't mean work like fix the problem although I hope does but I mean be OK. If I give too much niacin could it be harmful?

 

[Miss Lydia]

And I don't mean work like fix the problem although I hope does but I mean be OK. If I give too much niacin could it be harmful?

break your capsule down into fourths as best you can then just save the rest inside something that can be closed up to keep it fresh. and niacin is used pretty quickly in the body ands leaves via kidneys. so don't think you'd have to worry on over dosing unless you gave them more than is recommended your not going to able to get it right at 150 megs but a little over or under won't hurt. Main thing is get them started on it.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Is this a common problem with first time duck owners?

Not necessarily first time duck owners but some ducklings just need more niacin than others, we all have had to learn and now I keep niacin and brewers yeast on hand. especially if I am going to have ducklings. I even give Brewers yeast to my old drake 9yrs old. who has trouble walking now. When just starting out with ducks though it's an ever learning experience, when you pick your ducks up whether at feed store or through the mail a lot of times those you get them from don't know much more than you do about caring for ducklings, [well this applies more to feed stores] and really have no idea what you should have on hand like saying chick feed is okay to give to ducklings, well it is but it isn't made for ducklings so they haven't put the extra niacin in it that ducklings need. Most of us can't get duck starter so we add the extra niacin or Brewers yeast. I had no idea that ducklings can have leg and neurological issues from niacin diff until I read it in Storey's Guide to raising Ducks. and also read about it here. Thank goodness there are places to go for help. Ducks are a joy to own and are very healthy and strong, but they grow so fast as ducklings their lil legs have a hard time keeping up. We have seen so many turn arounds from folks who have used the Brewers years and niacin for their ducklings, testament to how well it works. Keep us updated on how your are doing.

 

[pfost262]

Here's another problem. I put the niacin in there gallon jug. 30 mins later 3/4 their water is below their feet and I don't know how much water they are getting. Any solutions to that?

 

[pfost262]

 

[Miss Lydia]

Here's another problem. I put the niacin in there gallon jug. 30 mins later 3/4 their water is below their feet and I don't know how much water they are getting. Any solutions to that?

A different kind of waterer.https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/52173/less-mess-duckling-water/10 https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/426909/non-spill-duckling-waterer/10 just make sure you put something into the bottom to weight the last one down and secure the first one to the side of their crate.