Is my duck okay?

[RaventheChicken]

Okay so my pekin duck is about 2 and a half months old now and he/she has barely grown any adult feathers! His back is pretty bald and he's still pretty fluffy where he has feathers. Granted, he got attacked by the chicks be grew up with, so that's probably why he's bald... But he's growing pretty slowly. I've heard that they're supposed to get their adult feathers pretty quickly. Also, he won't move his right foot at all. He puts all his weight on the joint of that foot instead. What is going on?

 

[Miss Lydia]

How long has he been like this? sounds like your lil duckling has a niacin deficiency please go and pick up some BComplex liquid TSC carries it in the cattle section, says injectable but we give it orally. 1 Ml 2X a day or go to Walmart or another store that carries vitamins and get human B complex liquid it will be 2X a day 1 teaspoon and either of these can be given over a small treat or feed.

What are you feeding the lil ducklings? @CayugaJana can give you the run down on niacin def in Pekins, your lil one needs help ASAP

 

[Kessel23]

That duckling looks very deformed to me, its head is almost as long as its body, definitely not normal! The only part of that duck that looks like it could be 10 weeks old is the head but even that is small for a 10 week old. Ducklings. I have a few 9 week old ducklings, they are fully feathered, quacking, and nearly adult size! I have no idea what is wrong with this thing but I am pretty sure that it is not normal!

Here are some 1 week and 2 week olds, look at their head size compared to body, very different from your duck.

 

[Miss Lydia]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...s-niacin-riboflavin-deficiency.1228833/page-3

 

[chickens really]

It may have something wrong with its heart or kidneys to still be in that state at 2 1/2 months old.
Sorry Culling is an option. I have had to Cull one like that too..Or wait for it to die from it condition..no cures for that condition. Niacin nor extra anything will Not help..Sorry it's time to decide on an another course of help.

*Edited by Staff

 

[PirateGirl]

I agree with the others, this is not normal. I wish I had more advice to give, but my ducklings are 5-6 weeks, a smaller breed, and larger than your Pekin and nearly fully feathered. I would say the normal things and hope someone can give you more specific advice. Keep him warm. Give him swimming water once a day (this can help the skin and help strengthen the legs if walking is difficult). Feed him a quality food, try to find an all flock food instead of chick starter if you can. Add nutritional yeast or brewers yeast to the food (at least a table spoon per cup of feed). Start giving B Complex daily as well. Make sure he has access to food and water 24/7. Good luck. I hope he shows some improvement soon!

 

[Miss Lydia]

I would hope the OP would try some of the suggestions we have offered before culling. There is always a chance it will pull through. Good nourishment and vitamins can do wonders. Ducks are amazing.

*edited by Staff

 

[WVduckchick]

Does this duckling eat or drink at all? Move around on its own? I agree, it does not appear to be 10 or so weeks old.
I'm curious as to what kind of climate you live in? And what have you been feeding her? Do you happen to have more pictures of her?

 

[PirateGirl]

I want to mention that I saw your other thread and it appears you lost many of your chicks with symptoms that may be related to those your duckling is experiencing it might be worth having a necropsy done to find the true cause. I would hate for it to be something contagious that other birds in your flock could be exposed to, or a toxicity issue that other birds could be exposed to. Good luck resolving this mystery.

 

[Kessel23]

Alright, I got some pictures of 9 week old ducklings,

1 year old Rouen hen in the middle, 9 week old Rouen Pekin cross Drake to the right.

9 week old ducklings in the middle, 6 year old Pekin Drake to the bottom right