HELPP!!!! PLEASE

[cumminsgal827]

I have two three and a half week old ducks. Today I brought them outside and let them walk around in the grass. As they were wobbling around I noticed that one of the ducks was kind of limping. He was walking on the leg, but it looked like at the joint of the leg may be out of place. The part of the leg goes outward and he sometimes trips. I had them in a small box for about three weeks and they didn't have much room to move around. I talked to a friend today and she said that it is possible that the leg could be out of joint from laying. I have been researching and what I have seen, it does not look like a broke leg.
Can anyone help me????????

 

[countrygirl74]

Have you been giving them niacin supplements?

If something actually looks out of place, I'm not sure what the problem could be. Can you take a photo of the leg?

 

[missnu01]

I second the niacin comment, and also the picture part...I guess I could have just put x2...

oh well

x2

 

[countrygirl74]

LOL missnu01!

Just in case you (cumminsgal827) are on here again before I get a chance and you don't have them on niacin... here's the instructions.

Ducks need about 3x's the niacin as chickens. There's not enough niacin for ducks in the feed. You need to get niacin to dissolve in their water and provide it to them for the first 10-12 weeks. I would definitely go 12 since there might be a deficiency in your one duck.
Do NOT get the niacin tablets/capsules that say "flush-free", "no flush", or "time release". I had to go to my health food store to find regular niacin. I got the capsules and just pulled them apart and dropped the powder in. It's 100-125mg per gallon of water. You could even go as high as 150mg.
If this is the problem, you should see improvement within a week or so, I would think.

If you already have them on niacin and there seems to be something else wrong, please post a pic and we'll all see what we can do to help.

 

[missnu01]

Brewers yeast purchased from any grocery store, and peas also give added niacin...and everything loves peas. I do, my dogs will do tricks for peas, and ducks and chickens are fond of them too...
So grab some brewers yeast and a bag of peas...let the peas thaw, or thaw out a portion of peas and heck sprinkle a generous helping of brewers yeast in their water, and also onto the peas and then give them that...and do that everytime you change their water, and once a day with the peas...or when you feel like giving the ducks some peas really. And if you aren't on a feed with niacin in it ( the higher protein Dumor with the outline of a duckling and chick on it, or game bird starter, or flock raiser) start using one of those...

 

[cumminsgal827]

I do not have them on niacin but they will be as soon as I can get to the store. I put him in the bath tub today an let him swim around and he did fine. He was standing on it and shaking off. When I touch the part of the leg that looks out of place, he does not cry or anything. What do ya think?
Thanks for the help!!

 

[countrygirl74]

I definitely think you should do the niacin regardless - they need it. See if it helps at all. If it's actually something out of place, which kind of looks like it's possible from the 2nd photo, I'm not skilled enough to know what to do except that maybe you could rig up a brace? Search on here for things like "spraddle leg" and "curled toes" and even though it's different and for chicks a lot of the time, it might give you some ideas on what materials might work for a brace. But I would definitely get them on niacin as soon as possible because it could still be as simple as niacin deficiency. Some people have had their ducks not walking at all and after being on niacin for a couple weeks, just got up and ran! Keep us posted!!

 

[CoopDeFoudre]

I have no experience with ducks so I can't be of much help, but I hope you get it figured out and the little guy does okay. Sending good vibes your way...

 

[cumminsgal827]

Thanks so much for the help!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[missnu01]

I don't think a brace is the way to do this, but a lack of niacin does cause swelling of the hock joint, and that's what that swollen spot is, so I would say that is it. Give the niacin and give lots and lots of swim time numerous times throughout each day. It helps strengthen the legs and reduces the swelling. With enough niacin he or she should be good as new. Also do look into switching to a feed that had niacin in it, because you don't know how much niacin they are actually ingesting as opposed to dumping out of their food or water, but if the niacin is in their food and you give them treats of peas then you can rest assured they are getting enough.
And something else could cause the swelling, but I really think the missing niacin is the issue