My duckling keeps laying down

[kel134]

I have a 1 week old duckling and it keeps laying down.
It will walk for a few steps then stops and lays down it gets up to get food and water but other then that just lays there. It was fine 2 days ago.
What can I do to help it???

 

[Amiga]

What and how much are you feeding it?

 

[kel134]

Fine Layer mash that's what our local feed shop told me to get. and they have a small container in the pen and they just eat when they want. they also drink lots after eating.
should I be feeding them something different ?

 

[Amiga]

Hmmm, layer mash is for adult laying ducks. It does not have the nutrients ducklings need, and it has too much calcium for nonlaying ducks.

Also if it is a chicken based feed, the duckling may have niacin deficiency.

Switch to starter crumbles, and add about 100 mg niacin to each gallon of water for the ducklings. That should help. Also, give poultry vitamins once a week or two to help cover for vitamin deficiency.

Some ducks are more sensitive than others to missing nutrients.



Use niacin capsules, not time release or no-flush, just plain capsules and open them and pour the powder into the water.

 

[kel134]

Thank you I will go get some of that today and give it a go

 

[Amiga]

Hope things start looking up right away. Please keep us posted.

 

[kel134]

Where would I get niacin from ?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Where would I get niacin from ?

Most Pharmacies will carry Niacin, be sure to get plain niacin not time released of no flush.

 

[kel134]

Thank you everyone for your help my duckling is now healthy and growing big and strong

 

[Amiga]

Thank you everyone for your help my duckling is now healthy and growing big and strong

Did you give the duckie vitamins or change feed? What's the scoop? So glad for the news, thanks.