my ducklings REALLY waddle. Normal??

[blacke]

We have 11 ducklings that are now 4 weeks old. We have a variety of Runners, Swedish, Cayuga and Jumbo Pekins. One of the Cayuga's and both of the Jumbo Pekins have a much different stance than the others. I know the Runners will be more upright than the others so I don't compare to them. All the Swedish and one of the Cayuga ducklings walk with their legs under them supporting their bodies and have a small waddle to their walk. The three I am wondering about walk with their bodies more between their legs and REALLY waddle. One of the Jumbo Pekins even steps on his own feet when he walks. Is there something wrong with them or they just going through some kind of awkward phase?

The first picture shows Charming, the Cayuga. The second shows Daisy the Jumbo Pekin and the last one shows Donald, also a Jumbo Pekin. He is the one that steps on his own feet.

 

[Amiga]

Those legs do look quite a bit far apart to me. I hope others can chime in. Don't know if they need a spraddle-leg hobble or if it's late to try to deal with it. Are they on chick starter? If so, are you supplementing with niacin?

 

[Going Quackers]

Those legs do look quite a bit far apart to me. I hope others can chime in. Don't know if they need a spraddle-leg hobble or if it's late to try to deal with it. Are they on chick starter? If so, are you supplementing with niacin?

I agree completely Amiga.

 

[Amiga]

What are you using for bedding? Do they have access to swimming water? I just keep trying to think of what might help. They are cuties!

 

[Going Quackers]

Do you have access to Storey's guide to ducks? off to go check mine ... Okay he speaks of hobbling and says most are directly caused by slippery surfaces.??

 

[blacke]

They are eating chic starter. I wondered if it was a niacin deficiency so started adding that to their water. I haven't noticed a difference and it has been about 5 days. They moved outside today where they have concrete floor covered with outdoor carpeting and dog kennels with wood shavings. They were in the garage where they went between two kiddie pools - one with their food/water and the other with their bedding. On the food side the floor was covered with shelf liner and the other side had wood shavings. The ramp that went between the pools was covered in shelf liner also but they would regularly push each other off it. I guess that would be slipping?

 

[blacke]

Oh, and yes, they do have access to swimming water now that they are outside. Up to today, they would have access for a limited time but the Pekings are uninterested in the pool. The Swedish love it though!

 

[Amiga]

Swimming may help strengthen their legs. Try a search on spraddle legs or splay legs and see if this matches up with what you have here. These seem somewhere between normal and extreme splay leg.