New Duckling Leg/Foot Injury?

[Aunt Angus]

So the duckling looks like it has a curled foot. You can tape the foot with making tape or painters tape to hold it in place. I believe it can be fixed a few days. There was a thread on here recently where they talked about. I can't find it.

Here is an older one.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/day-old-ducklings-feet-are-curled-under.50180/

Swimming can help them strengthen their legs while not being strained. If it has having a hard time walking this would be beneficial. You will get the most benefit from it if they can touch the bottom and must float. Either way they love swimming and it can't hurt. Just make sure the water is warm.

See? A better opinion from more of an expert!

 

[KaleIAm]

How old? First week temps should be around 85-87 some like 90 I’ve always kept mine at the lower range no drafts etc. then each week after drop the temp 5*. Until they are at normal house temp

I used a heat lamp and did similar for mine. I also had a cooler side.

 

[DuckDuckSook]

She seems wobbly on her legs from just seeing the little she's walking. To be on the safe side I'd go with Liquid B Complex it has helped so many ducklings that have a niacin deficiency. And you can have many other ducklings and only have one that shows this. So the others maybe fine on the brewers yeast. I've always used Nutritional yeast Others like the brewers yeast. But when one is showing symptoms the liquid B does better and faster. Brewers yeast and nutritional is to me like a prevention more cure . https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/niacin-deficiency-in-waterfowl.1367557/
It mane an injury which the liquid B will help to strengthen the muscles also if you want to let the ducklings swim make sure their water is nice an warm an the room is warm also then Pat dry an right back under heat to finish drying . Water therapy is very good for strengthening legs.
info on Brewers yeast an Nutritional yeast. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/nutritional-yeast-vs-brewers-yeast.1393856/
Liquid B complex I’d start out with half ml daily by mouth or over feed or something tasty. You want to make sure she gets the whole dose. Putting it in water dilutes it too much. If you want to give by mouth let us know before you do so we can show how best to do it.

Hi there.
I added the 100 mg Blue Bonnet Niacin capsules to their water and all of my ducklings seem perkier than before. I just bought the hi level b complex from tractor supply. I put 1ml over some crushed up mealworms and I was going to give it to each of my ducklings since they are all laying down a bit. The first duckling I tried to give it to is the one from the video. She ate one bite but was then not interested. Should I have crushed up quite a bit of mealworms or try it with something else? I didn't try to feed the other ducklings the b complex yet.

 

[DuckDuckSook]

What are you using for a waterer? This is what i did when I had my ducklings over the years I use Nutritional yeast over their feed 1 Tablespoon per cup of feed, and put on ml of B complex into their drinking water every time I gave fresh water. This is the water container I use. Most of the time if given over meal worms they gobble them right down. You may have to add to their water. I wouldn’t use both though of the liquid b and blue bonnet niacin capsules. Are these capsules plain niacin not time released or flush free? It’s best to use the plain.

I am using a container similar to yours; it's an old take out container. The capsules are plain niacin 100 mg. I've been putting it in their waterer which holds about a quart of water. I know that is way over the dose but I wanted to be sure they were getting it and some water does spill. I was thinking of just continuing the niacin in the water for now with the nutritional yeast on the food and use the Vitamin B Complex as a backup or for an emergency situation? Does that sound like a good plan? They are still laying down quite a bit but they are young and I'm sure they are growing a lot quickly. Thanks for your help!

 

[KaleIAm]

Okay. I tried my best to get a video of her walking. She takes a few steps here and there but then she lays down. She does this in the brooder too. I'm hoping she isn't hurting. Should I give the ducklings a swim in the bathtub to help her? Would she need a splint or supports of some kind? I can't tell. Near the end of the video, she walks upright a few steps and lays back down.

My ducklings did rest a lot, but I feel like they ran around more between rests. Also I feel that your duckling's webs aren't opening as much as my ducklings did when walking. I went back and watched a video of my ducklings to compare your video to since I haven't had babies for 6 years.

Unfortunately, I don't know what to do about it. And if another member with more duckling experience says it is completely normal I would believe them.

@Aunt Angus has babies right now. Maybe she'll be able to compare walking better than I can.

 

[KaleIAm]

Also, as mentioned in my other post, I was thinking niacin deficiency maybe. The ducklings are eating Purina Flock Raiser and I put 1 tbsp. of Now brand nutritional yeast in one cup of food. I'm wondering if that isn't enough. I have Niacin capsules 100mg Blue Bonnet brand arriving today and I was going to put that into their water.

I have heard that niacin deficiency can cause leg issues in ducklings, but I have never experienced it. It seems like a good place to start.

I know that Mazuri waterfowl starter is supposed to have enough if you can get ahold of that. Some members order it through chewy. It might be easier to just give a food instead of a food and a supplement. Plus, if you give what vets recommend as the ideal food for ducks you are probably avoiding other nutrition issue as well.

 

[Aunt Angus]

My ducklings did rest a lot, but I feel like they ran around more between rests. Also I feel that your duckling's webs aren't opening as much as my ducklings did when walking. I went back and watched a video of my ducklings to compare your video to since I haven't had babies for 6 years.

Unfortunately, I don't know what to do about it. And if another member with more duckling experience says it is completely normal I would believe them.

@Aunt Angus has babies right now. Maybe she'll be able to compare walking better than I can.

I'm not an expert (having owned ducklings for a grand total of 2 months now), but my Runner was running around at that stage. Your super cute extremely adorable baby does seem to be reluctant to walk and sits back on its legs quite a bit. My Runner's feet are turn in a lil more compared to my less upright standing breeds, but it looks like your ridiculously sweet little one's right leg is somewhat turned in.

If it is niacin deficiency, that's pretty easy to fix, if I'm understanding correctly. Just up their niacin intake. I imagine adding it to the water would be a good way to go so you know it's getting ingested.

I'm interested to see what others say. And the sticky thread index at the top of the duck forum has lots of info about it, too.

 

[DuckDuckSook]

Do you think she could be cold and laying down more often because she's chilly?

 

[KaleIAm]

Do you think she could be cold and laying down more often because she's chilly?

Do you have a thermometer to measure the temperature?

 

[DuckDuckSook]

Do you have a thermometer to measure the temperature?

Our house is at 67 and the heating pad for the ducklings is at 93.