I guess by now you've probably opened a fresh bag of food from when you started, so it's probably not a bad batch of food that's causing the problem.
I wish I could help more, but that's as much as I know. Let us know if you figure anything out.
Help! Ducks lose their balance and are fine in a few minutes!
- Thread starter jmccoy1119
- Start date
I guess by now you've probably opened a fresh bag of food from when you started, so it's probably not a bad batch of food that's causing the problem.
I wish I could help more, but that's as much as I know. Let us know if you figure anything out.
Quote:
I can tell you that the Mazuri waterfowl diet is super expensive here, but most Purina dealers can get the Purina Duck Starter and Purina Duck Grower, except in certain parts of the country. I'd switch to the duck grower myself in this instance and see what happens.
I have to say that I have been hearing all sorts of strange things from different people about poultry this year, and not just in ducks. Weird things about eyes, wings, neurological behavior, you name it that people can't find a reason or cure for. I am hoping that you don't have one of those situations here that can't be solved.
I can tell you that the Mazuri waterfowl diet is super expensive here, but most Purina dealers can get the Purina Duck Starter and Purina Duck Grower, except in certain parts of the country. I'd switch to the duck grower myself in this instance and see what happens.
I have to say that I have been hearing all sorts of strange things from different people about poultry this year, and not just in ducks. Weird things about eyes, wings, neurological behavior, you name it that people can't find a reason or cure for. I am hoping that you don't have one of those situations here that can't be solved.
Quote:
You couldn't have said it any better. I don't know what's going on in the world of chickens, ducks, turkeys and geese but the stories have tripled from years before. It's like an Unsolved Mystery.
You couldn't have said it any better. I don't know what's going on in the world of chickens, ducks, turkeys and geese but the stories have tripled from years before. It's like an Unsolved Mystery.
- Aug 8, 2011
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don't have any advice for you on this, but interested to learn if you discover anything. I lost one ducling this year to something similar... started out just being a bit slower to keep up with the others, always at the back of the pack. then showing some weakness, sitting more frequently when moving with the others, sitting to eat. then saw what you're seeing... loss of balance and stability, both back/front balance and side balance... made me think it might be inner ear? but episodic, not continuous like an ear infection might be. lost the duck about 3 weeks into developing symptoms. looked like a neurologic effect, the duck seemed otherwise entirely healthy, growth rate, eating, drinking... the rest of the clutch-mates are fine, healthy, growing well, adult ducks and geese are all fine. I've had ducks for many years, it's the first time I've seen this.
if it's moving through your flock, at this slow rate, I'd consider a couple of options... isolate the ones with issues from the others, since we don't know what's causing it and if it's contagous or not. change brands of feed, in case its feed related and some are just more sensitive than others. I've treated neurologic issues in other critters (horses, sheep) and anti-inflamatories can sometimes help, but I don't know how that info applies to ducks without consulting a vet.
will be following your updates, best of luck with this.
if it's moving through your flock, at this slow rate, I'd consider a couple of options... isolate the ones with issues from the others, since we don't know what's causing it and if it's contagous or not. change brands of feed, in case its feed related and some are just more sensitive than others. I've treated neurologic issues in other critters (horses, sheep) and anti-inflamatories can sometimes help, but I don't know how that info applies to ducks without consulting a vet.
will be following your updates, best of luck with this.
jmccoy1119, do you have any feral cats around?
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- Jul 31, 2011
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Here's a link to a youtube video, which shows the symptoms our ducks are having:
- Thread starter
- #17
- Jul 31, 2011
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Hmmm, we did have a number of feral cats several months ago when the ducks were only a few weeks old. We managed to get rid of most or all of them. We haven't seen a cat in a while.
- Aug 8, 2011
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you know, that doesn't look neurological to me, it looks like muscle weakness... especially the quivering in the legs of the white crested duck and the panting in the first one after it went down. if they're getting fatigued, a brief rest may be what they need to get back up again and look normal, at least for a while. if they're getting that tired and showing it that fast, I'd expect it to be progressive ... that is, they're getting weaker over time... so you'll see more episodes. the first duck did show slowing down before losing it, like it was getting exhaused.
how is their muscling? do they have meat in their thighs and chest? or is their breast bone prominent? you'll need to pick them up to check, feathers can hide a lot of muscle loss. you shouldn't feel the breast bone sticking out like a ridge if they're normally muscled. (you still may find it, but it should feel like there's meat there around it, not like an alread-picked over roast chicken.)
if they're thin its probably nutritional, but hard to say without more info if it's quantity of feed, quality of feed, or absorbtion. do they have free access to feed all the time? I saw something similar on a friend's ducks (first time duck owner)... they'd been feeding scratch only, and not enough of it, although they had full access to nice pasture with bugs and grass... problem cleared up when they went to all-you-can-eat game bird feed, scratch, and oyster shell in separate pans (let the ducks choose).
I'd be inclined to try the niacin, maybe switch to a higher protien feed, and perhaps add some probiotics as well to make sure they're getting good utilization of what they're eating. maybe pen them for a few days to limit energy expenditure, make sure they have 24/7 feed availability, and feed cut greens, grass or what they seem to like. that'd let you see how much feed they're actually consuming. If they're very mobile ducks, some of the weaker ones may be spending more time catching up with the others than eating, or may be getting bumped out of the feed trough and not getting their fair share. if a week or so of controlled environment isn't showing any improvement, or shows continuing loss of ground, I might worm them, in case you're feeding parasites instead of ducks. I've never has an issue with worms, so I don't know what's appropriate, but someone on here probably has good suggestions.
anyway, just my thoughts on what I'd try.
how is their muscling? do they have meat in their thighs and chest? or is their breast bone prominent? you'll need to pick them up to check, feathers can hide a lot of muscle loss. you shouldn't feel the breast bone sticking out like a ridge if they're normally muscled. (you still may find it, but it should feel like there's meat there around it, not like an alread-picked over roast chicken.)
if they're thin its probably nutritional, but hard to say without more info if it's quantity of feed, quality of feed, or absorbtion. do they have free access to feed all the time? I saw something similar on a friend's ducks (first time duck owner)... they'd been feeding scratch only, and not enough of it, although they had full access to nice pasture with bugs and grass... problem cleared up when they went to all-you-can-eat game bird feed, scratch, and oyster shell in separate pans (let the ducks choose).
I'd be inclined to try the niacin, maybe switch to a higher protien feed, and perhaps add some probiotics as well to make sure they're getting good utilization of what they're eating. maybe pen them for a few days to limit energy expenditure, make sure they have 24/7 feed availability, and feed cut greens, grass or what they seem to like. that'd let you see how much feed they're actually consuming. If they're very mobile ducks, some of the weaker ones may be spending more time catching up with the others than eating, or may be getting bumped out of the feed trough and not getting their fair share. if a week or so of controlled environment isn't showing any improvement, or shows continuing loss of ground, I might worm them, in case you're feeding parasites instead of ducks. I've never has an issue with worms, so I don't know what's appropriate, but someone on here probably has good suggestions.
anyway, just my thoughts on what I'd try.
- Aug 8, 2011
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Quote:
because... ? for some reason other than outright attacks? wondering, as I've got feral cats in my yard... although they don't seem interested in hunting any of my birds.
because... ? for some reason other than outright attacks? wondering, as I've got feral cats in my yard... although they don't seem interested in hunting any of my birds.
I agree, after looking at the video, that looks like weakness, not neurological after all.
If you haven't already, go to the feed store and try a different brand or type of feed. Every feed company makes mistakes from time to time, so even if it's a top brand and fresh it could be from a bad batch. Nutritional deficiencies of many sorts will first appear as leg weakness in ducks, so it could be any of a number of deficiencies in the feed. If your feed store doesn't carry anything else, try another store.
Other possibilities:
* Are they ingesting toxins? Have your neighbors treated their lawn with chemicals recently? Do you spray your plants or have your yard sprayed for pests?
* Staphylococcosis can cause weakness of the legs, and can be treated with antibiotics. Don't know the likelihood, but it's something to consider.
* Worms, as already mentioned, and you'd probably also see weight loss accompanying the other symptoms.
* Calcium: phosphorus imbalance. This would be especially likely if they are immature and eating laying rations.
Most of that is pulled from Holderread's book. I hope something works for you, and soon.
If you haven't already, go to the feed store and try a different brand or type of feed. Every feed company makes mistakes from time to time, so even if it's a top brand and fresh it could be from a bad batch. Nutritional deficiencies of many sorts will first appear as leg weakness in ducks, so it could be any of a number of deficiencies in the feed. If your feed store doesn't carry anything else, try another store.
Other possibilities:
* Are they ingesting toxins? Have your neighbors treated their lawn with chemicals recently? Do you spray your plants or have your yard sprayed for pests?
* Staphylococcosis can cause weakness of the legs, and can be treated with antibiotics. Don't know the likelihood, but it's something to consider.
* Worms, as already mentioned, and you'd probably also see weight loss accompanying the other symptoms.
* Calcium: phosphorus imbalance. This would be especially likely if they are immature and eating laying rations.
Most of that is pulled from Holderread's book. I hope something works for you, and soon.
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