Help with baby ducks!

[Asandlin21]

I have a baby duck that was unable to walk today when I got home from work. He chirps and when I put it by the food and water will eat but I'm afraid that the other ducks may be running over it. I don't know what has happened or what I need to do to help. They are eating chick starter and I have a heat lamp on them.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Welcome to BYC - sorry your little one is struggling just now.
How old are your ducklings? What kind of chick starter are you feeding - is it medicated or non-medicated? How long have you had the ducklings? What is the temperature the brooder is being kept at? Is there any chance that the duck has suffered an injury - perhaps unintentional rough handling, a leap from being held, etc?

 

[Asandlin21]

They are about 2 weeks old. I am feeding them Dumor chick starter. It doesn't say on the bag if it's medicated just that it provides nutrients. The only was an injury could have occurred would be from the other ducklings because he was fine this morning when I left for work.

 

[Kaessa]

They are about 2 weeks old. I am feeding them Dumor chick starter. It doesn't say on the bag if it's medicated just that it provides nutrients. The only was an injury could have occurred would be from the other ducklings because he was fine this morning when I left for work.

Have they been getting an extra source of niacin? Brewer's yeast is really good for that. If they don't get enough niacin, they can develop leg problems that can make it so they can't walk. Regular chick started doesn't have enough in it.

 

[Asandlin21]

Where can I get that? Do you think it will be ok till tomorrow afternoon when I get home? Nothing is open in the morning when I go to work. Should I separate him?

 

[Kaessa]

Where can I get that? Do you think it will be ok till tomorrow afternoon when I get home? Nothing is open in the morning when I go to work. Should I separate him?

You might want to separate him, but somewhere he can see the other ducks. They panic if they're by themselves. A clear tote if you have one, or some kind of divider for the brooder?

You should be fine until tomorrow afternoon. They have brewer's yeast at any health food store, like Vitamin Cottage, or at a store like Whole Foods or Sprouts. Just sprinkle a tablespoon of it over each cup of food you feed them. Give it to ALL of your ducklings, not just the one that's injured. If that's the problem, and you've caught it early enough, he should make a full recovery. If it's NOT the niacin, then separating him out would be a good idea anyway, so he has a chance to heal without getting stomped.

 

[Asandlin21]

Ok thank you so much! I put him in a clear makeup thing that I have for tonight. Tomorrow I can get something better! Should I put the lid half way over so he doesn't get to hot? Should I put a small thing of water and food?

 

[Kaessa]

Ok thank you so much! I put him in a clear makeup thing that I have for tonight. Tomorrow I can get something better! Should I put the lid half way over so he doesn't get to hot? Should I put a small thing of water and food?

Probably don't want to put a lid on it, so you have plenty of airflow. Put some water and food in there, at that age they have to have it ALL the time.

That's a great solution, btw!

 

[Asandlin21]

Thanks so much! I really appericate all the help! I will post an update tomorrow on how the little guy is doing!

 

[Asandlin21]

Is this the right stuff