Need help with my Pekin ducks.

[Rypie]

Hi everyone I’ve been coming to this site for a while now because of the great info on ducks I’ve been able to learn and now I have a question I was hoping someone could help me with.

About three months ago I got two American Pekin ducks one female and the other I’m pretty sure is male and I’m having a problem with my male duck Duckula now.

In the past two days I’ve noticed Duckula becoming more wobbly and having a harder time keeping his balance. He’s been bobbing his head more when walking and when he stands up to flap his wings he can barely keep his balance. Just a while ago when they got out of the pool and were preening themselves Duckula couldn’t stay upright and fell over a few times. He also started twitching his wings for a little bit. Sunshine, my female Pekin is totally fine though no wobbling or anything. Other than that they’re both still eating and drinking and doing all the normal duck things.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, thank you!

 

[RJKnott]

I have two pekins. The male Nibbler is noticeably larger than my female Peep.

Both had sever niacin deficiency when I got them. Peep got much better much faster. Nibbler’s legs are very weak and I think part of it is, on top of the vitamin b deficiency, he just grew so large so fast his legs didn’t get strong fast enough

You can get some B complex supplement for them from tractor supply if there is one near you, or you can order it on line if not, to put in their food/water. It works wonders. Nibbler used to not be able to take more than 3 or 4 steps at a time and now can walk 30-40 steps at a time. He prefers to sit as standing is tough for him, but his legs are getting stronger with it.

 

[Rypie]

I considered a niacin deficiency after reading about it on other sites but wasn’t sure because I give them Purina Duck pellets that says it has the niacin need at 25mg a day I think. Would you happen to know if that’s too little or too much for them? And I will try this I work at a similar store so we might have it there thank you so much for the info and help.

 

[RJKnott]

Can’t really give too much vitamin b. And the vitamin b complex really helps a lot. I put it inn the water so they drink it. Or on snacks I’m going to give them

I use Purina duck feed as well. For two little Rouens they are fine but my pekins needed the extra B

 

[Maddog_photog]

I considered a niacin deficiency after reading about it on other sites but wasn’t sure because I give them Purina Duck pellets that says it has the niacin need at 25mg a day I think. Would you happen to know if that’s too little or too much for them? And I will try this I work at a similar store so we might have it there thank you so much for the info and help.

Too little niacin. I’m using the purina duck chow too for my 10-week old Pekins. I’m adding 2TBSP of Brewer’s Yeast to every 1 cup of duck pellets. @Isaac 0 suggested on another thread that niacin needs go down after ten weeks. Maybe he can assist with your guys.

 

[416bigbore]

Hello Rypie , Welcome to BYC.

 

[Miss Lydia]

@Rypie since @Isaac 0 has been tagged I’ll just add this for your reading until he responds. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/niacin-deficiency-in-waterfowl.1367557/

 

[Isaac 0]

Purina Website says the niacin content in Purina Duck Pellets is 60/65ppm which is around 60/65mg per kilo.

https://www.purinamills.com/chicken-feed/products/detail/purina-duck-feed-pellets

That is close to the requirement that we would want for Heavyweight breeds, but is still under the recommended amount that I have found by a few studies in niacin requirements in ducks. What a lot of people don't understand is these requirements are in general, whether a duck comes down with niacin deficiency can depend on how well the individual bird converts niacin from tryptophan, it can also depend on the amount of microflora present in the birds gut and genetics. That said the common conclusion that since my other birds don't have problems it must not be a niacin deficiency, is very false.

We'll need some more information about your ducks to narrow down why he might be limping. Please answer the following, how old are they, Is there any sign of Bumblefoot, or swelling on the bottom of his feet, does his leg feel warm, could you post a video of him walking, and a few pictures of your setup that you're keeping them in? Thanks.

 

[Rypie]

Here’s a video you requested of them I posted on YouTube I hope that link works. And also they’re both 3 1/2 months old it doesn’t appear that he has Bumblefoot but his ankles do look a bit swollen. And thank you again for everyone being so helpful and welcoming me here.

 

[416bigbore]

Great Video of your Beautiful Ducks!