Niacin deficiency? Duck leg problems

[PaisleyChickMama]

I have three ducklings that are three weeks old and I believe the two yellow ones have niacin deficiency. I’m unsure why since I give them niacin tablets and electrolytes and vitamins in their water daily. They have bowed legs and their hock joints look swollen to me. The one with a black chest shakes when he is standing and sits down a lot. And the one with the yellow chest looks like he has swollen hocks. Can I get a second opinion and what do I do if it is deficiency if I’ve been giving vitamins?

 

[CoriM]

What kind of ducklings are they? Their markings are beautiful! Do they have trouble walking? I can't really tell on the hocks or that the legs are bowed from the photos, but to cover your bases in case it's a niacin deficiency you should get them liquid vitamin B complex - tractor supply, feed store, or Amazon. It says injectable but you give them each 1 ml a day over treats. The last couple of times I had runner ducklings they went through 2-3 weeks where their legs trembled, and I was supplementing Vitamin B complex, and read on this forum of others whose runners went through the same phase. It eventually went away and they were fine. I had a pekin once who developed splay leg, and she had to be hobbled for several weeks along with the Vitamin B and those two measures helped her regain mobility.

 

[PaisleyChickMama]

What kind of ducklings are they? Their markings are beautiful! Do they have trouble walking? I can't really tell on the hocks or that the legs are bowed from the photos, but to cover your bases in case it's a niacin deficiency you should get them liquid vitamin B complex - tractor supply, feed store, or Amazon. It says injectable but you give them each 1 ml a day over treats. The last couple of times I had runner ducklings they went through 2-3 weeks where their legs trembled, and I was supplementing Vitamin B complex, and read on this forum of others whose runners went through the same phase. It eventually went away and they were fine. I had a pekin once who developed splay leg, and she had to be hobbled for several weeks along with the Vitamin B and those two measures helped her regain mobility.

Thank you! I’m actually not sure they’re mystery ducks that were hatched on my friends farm. The momma got broody and laid on the other hens eggs.

 

[CoriM]

Well I hope you can help them strengthen their legs. Are they on a duckling specific food?

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

Could be a niacin issues
I agree give the B complex directly in their mouth or on a treat
Putting it in water doesn’t give them what they need
I add nutritional yeast to my feed 1tbs to 1 cup of feed until 10-12 weeks
Then as adults I add it sprinkled over feed a few times a week
I don’t measure it just add some
So far fingers crossed I haven’t had any leg issues doing it this way
I go also give a smaller second bowl of water with extra B complex and vitamins throughout the first few months as well
Hope this helps

 

[PaisleyChickMama]

Could be a niacin issues
I agree give the B complex directly in their mouth or on a treat
Putting it in water doesn’t give them what they need
I add nutritional yeast to my feed 1tbs to 1 cup of feed until 10-12 weeks
Then as adults I add it sprinkled over feed a few times a week
I don’t measure it just add some
So far fingers crossed I haven’t had any leg issues doing it this way
I go also give a smaller second bowl of water with extra B complex and vitamins throughout the first few months as well
Hope this helps

Thank you!!

 

[PaisleyChickMama]

Well I hope you can help them strengthen their legs. Are they on a duckling specific food?

They’re on 18% protein duck food right now. Not specifically for baby babies but it’s labeled growing and adult ducks. I also heard 18% is adequate for all ages of egg laying ducks.

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

Thank you!!

Hopefully you get your little ones sorted. They sure are beautiful

 

[redroks2]

Thank you! I’m actually not sure they’re mystery ducks that were hatched on my friends farm. The momma got broody and laid on the other hens eggs.

You have Cayuga Ducks. We have them too Same coloring