Limping duckling

[poultry for me]

I have a 7 week old Buff duckling that started limping suddenly today. It has trouble walking and is not as perky and alert as it was a day or two ago. It prefers to sit instead of standing around with the other duck at the water. There is no sign of external injury and I have no idea what to do.
The only thing I can think of is that all of my ducklings freak out when I walk into their yard, so they dash to their coop; trampling over each other when they squeeze through the door. I wonder if it somehow sprained its leg or something of the sort. But I don't know that much about ducks, I only got a three adults last November and those are easy, its the ducklings that are more difficult.
Can anyone give me any tips on how to treat my duckling's leg? Any advice would be helpful.

Thanks

 

[Kevin565]

Has it been given proper Niacin levels?

 

[Amiga]

Give the wee one some bath time. Lukewarm water, deep enough to float in, for as long as you can stand it

That will take weight off, and enable exercise and improve circulation.

If the duck seems a little off, add some activated charcoal (NOT briquettes for grilling, but clean hardwood charcoal from a wood stove, ground up, or buy activated charcoal capsules at the drugstore and open and empty them into the water bowl, about three capsules in a couple of cups of water) to the water. Charcoal absorbs toxins.

If the duck seems to be losing muscle control, it could be botulism, and Epsom salts or molasses in water is a laxative and should be given, with loads of fresh clean water.

The proportions of Es and molasses have been posted before, so try a search if you need that information, and I must run right now. Prayers and hugs!

 

[poultry for me]

Ok, I will try the bath and the charcoal.
I feed all of my ducks chicken layer crumbles, so I have to add the extra niacin. I haven't done that in a while because they seemed fine, but will add some to the feed, and will get in the habit of adding it frequently. Thanks for the reminder Kevin565!

Thank you for the advice. I will post any results.

 

[poultry for me]

Ah-Ho-Dee-Ho!!!! My duckling is back to normal. I think a lot of rest and warm swimming water was the key. I will put it back with the others tomorrow; just to make sure.

Thank you again!

 

[Amiga]

 

[Kevin565]