Help! Ducks having episodes:(

[Rebecca JL]

I add the oyster shell right to the feed so they have to eat it. They have each been laying 1 per day since June/July.

This is the best video I have of it, usually I just go pick them up and calm her down then they are back to normal. Attached is the feed that I use.

 

[Herdcutter]

My one duck does that. She was niacin deficient and now that is what she looks like when she's balancing to lie down. But I surmised the joints are a mess, and she stands on her tippy toes with her wings out and used for balancing.

Does your duck stand on her tippy toes?

 

[Rebecca JL]

Thank you! I have been following for a while and it has been so helpful! Attached is pics of the feed I use

 

[Rebecca JL]

Yes, she stands on them just before she starts to “drunkenly” stumble. I supplemented them with brewers yeast as ducklings because I was paranoid! Lol ugh it started with just the black Swedish, once, about a month ago but now 3 of the 4 do it a few times a day. If I pick them up when it happens I notice they are shaking and hearts are racing

 

[Ravynscroft]

I add the oyster shell right to the feed so they have to eat it. They have each been laying 1 per day since June/July.

I would move the oyster shell to a separate bowl for them to eat if they need it... layer feed often has enough calcium already, only some need even more...

 

[WVduckchick]

Almost looks like she has gotten into something toxic.

I'm curious, is the one that is not showing the same symptoms larger or smaller than the 3 that are acting this way? Anything different about the one from the other 3? Is she a loner, etc?

Just trying to brainstorm for possible causes.

 

[Ravynscroft]

I would try a full toxin flush...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/flushes-for-aiding-in-toxin-removal.700526/#post-9508213

 

[Pyxis]

I would move the oyster shell to a separate bowl for them to eat if they need it... layer feed often has enough calcium already, only some need even more...

X2, you don't want to force them to eat the oyster shell, because you can feed too much calcium and cause issues such as kidney damage and bone issues. If you offer it on the side free choice they'll take it if they need it.

 

[Rebecca JL]

HI all,
I moved the oyster shell to another bowl. It seems the supplementing may be helping. We only saw two episodes yesterday, and today we cut out all other goodies they had been getting (spring mix or kale or bananas or cranberries usually) as we normally saw it happen around the time they got any of these. They had done it other times as well, and we do pay most attention when we are feeding them but we decided to cut them out just to be safe. I bought something called Toxiban to add to their water if this continues that is supposed to absorb any toxins in their system because my father was worried about dehydration if I used a flush. Thank you all so much for your support andsuggestions, I will continue posting updates! My girls thank you too!

 

[WVduckchick]

Glad to see improvement, thanks for the update! And continued best wishes.