Jumbo Pekin duckling has trouble walking

[CoriM]

I have three pekins who are 4 weeks old today. They were fed a niacin supplement in every meal from the day I got them at 1-2 days old. The brooder floor was towels and shelf liner. I think I received one who is a jumbo pekin as she developed at twice the rate of the other birds. At about two weeks old it became harder for her to get up and move around. This has progressively gotten worse and worse to where now she barely stands up on her own and her legs splay out when she does. She can walk a bit when I set her on her feet, but it's a funny walk with her legs spread out and she tires quickly. I've been having her swim twice a day and take her outside and force some walking every day just to keep her muscles working. In the brooder with the other ducks she just kind of pulls herself along on her haunches. The hatchery (Metzer) suggested I put her on a diet (I've been trying to limit her food) and tie her legs together with twine. Has anyone else done this? I just can't imagine she'll get around at all if her legs are tied together. I am worried for her future. At this point I can't see her being able to walk into a coop from a duck run. She is the sweetest bird, and loves to be held. It's making me so sad to see her struggling.

 

[Kessel23]

What type of food do you feed them?

 

[Miss Lydia]

What niacin supplement do you have her on? She should probably be put on liquid b complex TSC carries it in the cattle section and it will say injectable but just peel off the foil and use a dropper to get 1 ml and put over something she really likes so she gets a full dose. Some use peas others mealworms even chopped tomatoes. I would def give it a try because she really needs the help to be able to have healthy strong legs. And we have seen awesome results with the liquid b complex

 

[quackiemama]

Liquid B Complex is a lifesaver!!!

 

[casportpony]

Welcome to BYC!
I am going to make a suggestion, but I need to know how much she weighs first.

 

[Bridger Davis]

What niacin supplement do you have her on? She should probably be put on liquid b complex TSC carries it in the cattle section and it will say injectable but just peel off the foil and use a dropper to get 1 ml and put over something she really likes so she gets a full dose. Some use peas others mealworms even chopped tomatoes. I would def give it a try because she really needs the help to be able to have healthy strong legs. And we have seen awesome results with the liquid b complex

X2!!! That stuff is golden!!

 

[CoriM]

What type of food do you feed them?

I started them on Scratch and Peck organic whole grains, which I fermented for the most part. After the leg issue developed and she was growing so rapidly, I switched last week to their grower feed and added oats in hopes to slow her down. I supplement with lettuce, kale and herbs chopped up and added to water, and give peas in the bath which they dive for.

 

[CoriM]

What niacin supplement do you have her on? She should probably be put on liquid b complex TSC carries it in the cattle section and it will say injectable but just peel off the foil and use a dropper to get 1 ml and put over something she really likes so she gets a full dose. Some use peas others mealworms even chopped tomatoes. I would def give it a try because she really needs the help to be able to have healthy strong legs. And we have seen awesome results with the liquid b complex

I have been giving Thomas Labs Brewer's Yeast with garlic.

 

[CoriM]

Liquid B Complex is a lifesaver!!!

I will look for the liquid B complex - thanks for the suggestion. I don't hold out a lot of hope for my local grange though. They don't even carry a niacin supplement. Is there a place I can order it from quickly?

 

[quackiemama]

I ordered from Amazon and got it next day