Help! Ducklings with shakey legs.

[evergrowing]

My 4 week old ducklings had been doing fine until yesterday when I noticed a couple of them had shakey legs. Today when I went out at least half of them were shaking (I have 10). I've been giving them niacin 100mg per gallon of water. They've had this from the beginning and until now had no problems. The only thing I'm doing different is that I was cutting up a few cups of grass for them a day, but this last week I've only given them the grass a few times as opposed to everyday. Also the Niacin I have is flush-free. Is that what's wrong?

 

[chickboss]

By flush free, you mean it can accumulate in their system? I would think that could be bad. Can you take them off of it and use brewer's yeast, or even powdered milk for awhile? Also, maybe call the hatchery for any ideas. I hope someone with more experience responds soon.

 

[Amiga]

What else are they eating?

 

[evergrowing]

What else are they eating?

I have them on Purina flock raiser mixed with another flock raiser. One of them was 20% protein and the other was 16%. I wanted them at 18% so I mixed the two together. Also I add 1 part oats to about 8 parts feed with chick grit sprinkled thoughout. They have feed and water 24 hours a day.


I try to let them outside for an hour or so a day, but today they didn't even want out (maybe because of the wind? usually it's nicer here). They are in an 8' by 4' duck house with 2 heat lamps. They've been out there for over a week and seemed quite happy until now.

Thanks for the help.​

 

[Amiga]

Any indication that they are chilled?

 

[evergrowing]

They don't huddle together very close, once when the power went out they were really snuggling, but it was only out an hour or so. And after that they seemed fine. Could they need more room to run? Can they get shakey from lack of excersize? Really it's only their legs that shake and not all of them are doing it. I'm sure it's something I'm doing wrong...

 

[brenna]

As far as "flush-free" niacin goes, it was my understanding that the flush-free part was referring to a side effect of niacin in people. "Flushing" as in getting red in the face (eg. "You look flushed, do you have a fever?").

Someone absolutely correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think it has anything to do with it being "flushed" from the body.