How much niacin is too much?

[badenglisch]

I've got a pekin duckling, about 5weeks old, with shakey legs. I have been adding brewers yeast to their feed, but I'm thinking this guy needs some extra? He's the biggest duckling of the bunch, i haven't seen shakey legs on anyone else. If i get some niacin pills to add to their water, will it be bad for the others?

 

[PirateGirl]

The good news is that you can't accidentally overdose your other birds on niacin! Also, the shakey leg can be cured generally. I would get either a human liquid B complex like this and give one dropper full to the affected bird (put it on a treat) twice a day. Don't dilute it in the drinking water. Keep putting the brewers yeast in the food for everyone.

Or you can get cattle B complex at the farm store. I believe @Miss Lydia can give you the dosage on that one.

Give your duck swim time and maybe space to practice walking outside of the brooder. His legs will get stronger. I would keep giving the B for at least 2 weeks. You should see some improvement in about a week.

 

[Cayuga momma]

I would get some B complex.
If you get niacin pills don't get 'no flush', 'flush free', or 'extended release'.
Depending on how many ducks you have depends on how much they need.
B vitamins are water soluble so excess gets peep/pooped out. But too much for too long can cause liver and kidney issues.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

As others have said: Water soluble Vitamins cannot be overdosed, a bit of common sense implied. Last year my sick drake Limpy overdosed himself with Niacin, because he did not want to share his extra portion with any other duck and gobbled it down in seconds. That was ~½ grams of Niacin for a tiny drake at once. He may had been glowing during the night (do ducks flush too from Niacin, like we humans?) but he is still thriving.
I this use Niacin powder for my ducks and ducklings:
https://www.bulksupplements.com/niacin-usp.html

 

[DuckyDonna]

The good news is that you can't accidentally overdose your other birds on niacin! Also, the shakey leg can be cured generally. I would get either a human liquid B complex like this and give one dropper full to the affected bird (put it on a treat) twice a day. Don't dilute it in the drinking water. Keep putting the brewers yeast in the food for everyone.

View attachment 1778061
Or you can get cattle B complex at the farm store. I believe @Miss Lydia can give you the dosage on that one.

Give your duck swim time and maybe space to practice walking outside of the brooder. His legs will get stronger. I would keep giving the B for at least 2 weeks. You should see some improvement in about a week.

1 ml over a tasty treat! This is the best. Tractor Supply. Old and new labels but they're the same thing.

 

[badenglisch]

1 ml over a tasty treat! This is the best. Tractor Supply. Old and new labels but they're the same thing.
View attachment 1778193

What kind of treats do you recommend using?

 

[DuckyDonna]

What kind of treats do you recommend using?

meal worms, peas, tomatoes. Anything you know he will gobble up so that he gets all that b-complex in. You could also syringe it if you feel comfortable doing that but be sure to get it in the right hole!

 

[Dees ducks]

Hi all!
I bought some pure niacin powder for my 5 Cayuga ducklings and just put a couple of pinches in their smallish bowl of water which was loaded with shredded lettuce and a few mealworms. I did this for about 5 weeks then weaned them off as now they're 2 months old and very very healthy. However, one evening I was a bit distracted and whilst trying to get all ducklings and big ducks to bed I put the bowl of (what I called their vitamin boost) on the ground and turned my back for a few seconds. Next thing I noticed was my cavapoo dog called Sootie slurping it all down! The ducklings were not impressed!
Well after about 10 minutes, Sootie started painting heavily, rushing around the house like a dog possessed and scratching and rubbing himself manically! Obviously he'd overdosed on niacin but at least I got the approximate measurements right for the ducklings!

 

[Dees ducks]

PS - I was going to send Sootie to rehab for being such a junkie, however, I thing he's learned his lesson and vowed never to touch the stuff again!

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Hi all!
I bought some pure niacin powder for my 5 Cayuga ducklings and just put a couple of pinches in their smallish bowl of water which was loaded with shredded lettuce and a few mealworms. I did this for about 5 weeks then weaned them off as now they're 2 months old and very very healthy. However, one evening I was a bit distracted and whilst trying to get all ducklings and big ducks to bed I put the bowl of (what I called their vitamin boost) on the ground and turned my back for a few seconds. Next thing I noticed was my cavapoo dog called Sootie slurping it all down! The ducklings were not impressed!
Well after about 10 minutes, Sootie started painting heavily, rushing around the house like a dog possessed and scratching and rubbing himself manically! Obviously he'd overdosed on niacin but at least I got the approximate measurements right for the ducklings!

He was suffering from what is called "flashing" when Niacin is enhancing the blood circulation in the skin. Nothing dangerous but very uncomfortable. At least you know now that the powder you give your ducklings is not sugar!