Limping Duckling

[BZZB]

Hi, one of my ducklings has a swollen “ elbow” and limps quite badly. He is about 2-3 weeks old and doesn’t have any other issues although he is one of the smallest. Does anyone know what could be wrong and how I can help him?

 

[Texag87]

What are you feeding ? What breed ? Are you supplementing niacin ?

 

[BZZB]

What are you feeding ? What breed ? Are you supplementing niacin ?

He is a pekin, and we are not giving him niacin. We are feeding laying pellets, and always have and have never had a problem. We bought them from someone and i do not know what they were fed then.

 

[Texag87]

It’s to early to feed layer pellets. You really don’t want to feed them layers pellets unless you have an all female flock that is laying at the time. Pekins are very susceptible to niacin deficientcy (sp) because they grow so fast. I add brewers yeast to Dumar non medicated chick starter for the first 3 weeks. Then when they move outside they get switched to Purina flock raiser crumbles and later to pellets. We brood in the bathtub and don’t start with flock raiser because of the smell. We supplement with brewers yeast for ten weeks and at about 20 weeks we put oyster shell on the side which the ducks will instinctively eat as needed but the drakes won’t eat much. Layer feed can cause kidney and liver problems in drakes which will shorten their life.

 

[BZZB]

It’s to early to feed layer pellets. You really don’t want to feed them layers pellets unless you have an all female flock that is laying at the time. Pekins are very susceptible to niacin deficientcy (sp) because they grow so fast. I add brewers yeast to Dumar non medicated chick starter for the first 3 weeks. Then when they move outside they get switched to Purina flock raiser crumbles and later to pellets. We brood in the bathtub and don’t start with flock raiser because of the smell. We supplement with brewers yeast for ten weeks and at about 20 weeks we put oyster shell on the side which the ducks will instinctively eat as needed but the drakes won’t eat much. Layer feed can cause kidney and liver problems in drakes which will shorten their life.

Ok, thank you.

 

[Texag87]

You are welcome...........btw our fees here on BYC are paid in the form of posted pictures, especially ducklings.

 

[Isaac 0]

A video of the duck walking would be great. Niacin deficient birds often have both legs affected, and instead of limping will just lay there most of the day, and when they do walk its more like they are stumbling. It does however cause stunted growth which may be a good explanation for her being the smallest of the bunch.

 

[BZZB]

A video of the duck walking would be great. Niacin deficient birds often have both legs affected, and instead of limping will just lay there most of the day, and when they do walk its more like they are stumbling. It does however cause stunted growth which may be a good explanation for her being the smallest of the bunch.

Well now that I watch him more it really is more of a stumble, he takes a few steps fall and will get back up.

 

[Isaac 0]

Do his feet overlap each time he steps?

 

[BZZB]

Do his feet overlap each time he steps?

Im not sure, but I dont think so.