Lame duck?

[DuckLover179]

Mine still do the same as TLWR's do. They just plop on their "knee's" to rest. I don't see anything wrong with it, mine are getting Niacin, but they still do it.

 

[Eroc1_1]

Quote:
I was supplementing the water with the Vita-Pak and it has niacin in it - but maybe not enough. It is made by Agrilabs (Vitamins & Electrolytes"Plus") and had directions of 1/4 teaspoon per gallon.

Starter/Grower/Finisher - I was under the impression from a DH book and others that I show take them off of 20% to a lower 15% after about 2 weeks. I was going by what I have read. This is the starter that I have been using. Dumor 20% Chick Starter/Grower - http://www.tractorsupply.com/poultry-feed/dumor-reg-chick-starter-grower-20--1039256

At around 2 weeks, one of my runners (Ally) decided not standing was pretty cool. She's just kind of hang out on the back of her legs. They grow so quick at this age, maybe their legs just hurt from all that growing. But she'd get up and walk normal to get places, but if she wasn't on the go, she'd just plop down on the back of her legs.

I hope it is just a phase.​

The chicken starter does not have niacin in it. Ducks need niacin to develop properly and prevent abnormal problems like legs, like what you have and also wry neck like I've seen others post. All ducks are different, so each could have a better "tolerance" of less niacin. However, the point remains: get them on game starter now before you have more problems. The duck with the leg problem may or may not get better, but make sure the rest don't follow the pattern.

Is it possible for them to get too much niacin? I am also adding some brewers yeast to their food. So besides a supplement in their water, they will also get it in their food.

 

[dumb_cluck]

Don't "kill them with kindness". Sometimes just go the slow road and all will be well.

 

[aineheartsyou]

Quote:
I was supplementing the water with the Vita-Pak and it has niacin in it - but maybe not enough. It is made by Agrilabs (Vitamins & Electrolytes"Plus") and had directions of 1/4 teaspoon per gallon.

Starter/Grower/Finisher - I was under the impression from a DH book and others that I show take them off of 20% to a lower 15% after about 2 weeks. I was going by what I have read. This is the starter that I have been using. Dumor 20% Chick Starter/Grower - http://www.tractorsupply.com/poultry-feed/dumor-reg-chick-starter-grower-20--1039256


I hope it is just a phase.

The chicken starter does not have niacin in it. Ducks need niacin to develop properly and prevent abnormal problems like legs, like what you have and also wry neck like I've seen others post. All ducks are different, so each could have a better "tolerance" of less niacin. However, the point remains: get them on game starter now before you have more problems. The duck with the leg problem may or may not get better, but make sure the rest don't follow the pattern.

Is it possible for them to get too much niacin? I am also adding some brewers yeast to their food. So besides a supplement in their water, they will also get it in their food.

I would do one or the other, not both. They can get too much niacin

 

[DuckLover179]

I put a SMALL pinch of Poult Pak in their water, along with about 80-100 mg Niacin (Bottle says 250 mg, so I do less than half), and it isn't too much for them. My rule is no more than 100 mg per gallon.

 

[firsthouse_mp]

Interestingly enough, I have a WH that does the same thing. At first I wondered if it was the niacin too, so I have been supplementing. Some days the scooting seems worse than others. For a few days, she seemed fine, but the last two days she is back to scoot/waddling. I upped the niacin but after reading these posts am worried.

Mine are from Metzer's and were probably born March 6 or 7? From your post it looks like our ducklings are about the same age. I thought it might be a coincidence or it might be they are from the same flock/litter?

I will keep checking back with this post and will post occasional updates on my duckling too.

 

[Eroc1_1]

Quote:
I understand what you are saying. Some days seem worse than others for scooting around. I believe that ours were hatched between Feb 27 and March 1 and were also from Metzers. I am keeping an eye on her and hoping it doesn't get worse.

 

[firsthouse_mp]

I am considering putting the two in a much larger brooder--I wonder if she needs more exercise? I had them in a smaller and warmer space but without any need to exercise her legs perhaps she just isn't developing the muscles like she should. Are yours in a small brooder still? I have a friend who has 4 ducks from Metzer's and they live in a barn with a lot of space. Mostly they stick under the heat lamp, but they have a large area (since they are already living in the run) to run around in. I have been treating mine the way I do the chicks--keeping them contained. Noticed today that she stood up to stretch, but mostly still scooted around this morning.

Keep us updated on yours too.

 

[Eroc1_1]

Firsthouse_mp - They were in a 4ft diameter kiddie pool. They are now in their duck house which is 4' x 7'. I have been trying to let them out each day to run around a bit in a small fenced area. She, the Welsh Harelquin, will walk around to get food and water but after a minute or so standing she will plop down to rest and scoot if she has to. I think she is slowly getting better. But only time will tell.

 

[Eroc1_1]

Quote:
I have noticed recently that she doesn't have the typical duck profile when she is standing and she also stands more upright (I know she's not a runner). Her back is more arched and doesn't have the 'flip up' at the tail. She is VERY docile when you pick her up - it is like she almost goes into dead weight mode - which makes it nice for the girls to hold her.