Niacin deficiency?

[NewAtThis8]

Hi all,

We got ducks with our chicks, and did a lot of research before committing to chickens but the ducks were accidental.

A duck was choking and suffering at TSC so we saved it and the guy gave it to us for free. I went back the next day to pick up a second duck because I realized they needed to have a friend.

I was aware of the need for niacin in their diet but the feed that they were getting, while chicken feed, did have niacin added. The problem is, I guess as is common, is that it wasn’t enough for my big Pekins.

They have both had the telltale starting signs of deficiency since about a week old- feet started turning in and they walked slowly and awkwardly. I thought it was just because they were in the brooder still, didn’t have a ton of room to walk around, and that they were growing so fast and big so they were heavy.

They’re about 4.5/5 weeks now and one of them has stopped walking their one leg seems to not be working well so they take one step with the good leg and then fall when they take the second. There isn’t any swelling that I can see, and it doesn’t look like a slipped tendon. I immediately started them both on the B Vitamins referenced in the niacin thread on this site, and added nutritional yeast to their food. Today is day 2 and I’ve not seen much improvement, so I just wanted to see how long it may take if anyone’s experienced this?

I feel awful and I love the ducks so much- I want to do all I can to make sure they live a healthy and happy life. Am I too late? Can I take them to the vet / would they suggest anything different?

A few other things I’ve noted- panting; they don’t pant when out in the run during the day (they are only sleeping in the brooder at this point due to favorable weather) but the more injured one does pant sometimes in the brooder and I thought it was due to being hot / not as much air flow as it stops when I turn the fan on sometimes, but now wondering if it is pain??

Poops- not every BM, but a decent amount, is liquid. This is for both of them.

The plan is to do this B vitamin treatment for a week and if no improvement, then vet, but I don’t want to cause any further decline by waiting…. Any help or advice is appreciated!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Are you using the liquid B complex? Once they start to have problems the liquid b complex helps them get over it better and faster. Since yours have been having problems for a while now it will take longer so keeping them on it till they are 12 weeks is the plan then keep up with nutritional yeast their whole lives. Hopefully your Pekin still has a chance to get help but if you don’t have the b complex I sure rec you start them asap
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/niacin-deficiency-in-waterfowl.1367557/ wasn’t sure if this is the info you are referring to?

 

[NewAtThis8]

Are you using the liquid B complex? Once they start to have problems the liquid b complex helps them get over it better and faster. Since yours have been having problems for a while now it will take longer so keeping them on it till they are 12 weeks is the plan then keep up with nutritional yeast their whole lives. Hopefully your Pekin still has a chance to get help but if you don’t have the b complex I sure rec you start them asap
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/niacin-deficiency-in-waterfowl.1367557/ wasn’t sure if this is the info you are referring to?

That’s the link- I went out as soon as I noticed the not-walking / limping and got the complex referenced in the thread- the liquid B complex that is meant for cattle? I’m giving them both 1ml a day per the dosage notes over mealworms. Today was their 2nd dose though so I’m maybe just worried it hasn’t worked immediately but also realize it’s been progressing their whole lives to this point I feel so awful and hope he/she walks again…

 

[Miss Lydia]

Your just expecting recovery too soon. Hopefully, after a week on it you'll see progress. But it will probably take longer than a week for noticeable progress. Just keep up with the B complex like you are doing. Don't give up hope. Also let them swim in warm water it's a great way to get their leg muscles stronger and can help with recovery.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Agreed. To recover from a severe deficiency you not only have to fill the tank so to speak, but also have to dose long enough for the body to stabilize. Recovering from a severe niacin deficiency you may see results in a week, but it may even take up to a month to see a steady show of progress. You will not see results overnight with severe deficiencies. A minor one yes, but not being able to walk is in the severe category.

 

[NewAtThis8]

Thank you both for your advice! Hopefully I’ll have a positive update here on this thread in a few weeks- definitely will not give up hope yet, I just feel so awful and love these little ducks so much!

 

[NewAtThis8]

Are you using the liquid B complex? Once they start to have problems the liquid b complex helps them get over it better and faster. Since yours have been having problems for a while now it will take longer so keeping them on it till they are 12 weeks is the plan then keep up with nutritional yeast their whole lives. Hopefully your Pekin still has a chance to get help but if you don’t have the b complex I sure rec you start them asap
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/niacin-deficiency-in-waterfowl.1367557/ wasn’t sure if this is the info you are referring to?

Because I’m such a worrier, I haven’t seen many updates to similar threads that their ducks have recovered after severe deficiency like being unable to walk, even with using the liquid B complex. Does this indeed work and have there been cases where it has helped a full or at least drastic recovery? It’s been 5 days, no improvement at all though I know we discussed it taking a while if severe. Im just wondering if I should find a vet at this point, but would they even say or do anything different? Would they suggest putting the duckling down? (I don’t want to!) if it’s just the legs being weak that’s an issue, I’d definitely not be above getting a wheelchair….

 

[NewAtThis8]

Just an update in case anyone comes across this thread and is in a similar scenario- my anxiety got the best of me and after about 4-5 days on liquid b complex supplement and no improvement I took my duck to the vet. After $380, and one more follow up to go to make sure we are still on a good track, we are standing and taking wobbly steps and keeping up with our sibling. The liquid b complex from what I’ve found on the label contains niacin in the form of “niacinimide”. I bought flush free b3 (niacin) capsules and have been splitting 1/3 a capsule between both of my ducks daily. In addition, we kept the b complex but for the thiamine rather than niacin- as the vet believed my duck was deficient in a few key nutrients. We also got a b12 shot at initial visit and the follow up 1 week later. We also got antibiotics in case of infection but fecal test showed no parasites or obvious bacterial infection. Most importantly, we isolated the ducklings from the chicks for now while still brooding and are feeding exclusively duck pellets. We do warm baths daily to relax and work the legs. 2 days after the first vet visit they took some wobbly tentative steps outside in the grass and it’s been a fairly upward trajectory since. Obviously there’s still room for decline and still have a long road to recovery but I don’t feel as hopeless as before. I’d recommend anyone to take their duckling to a vet when signs first start if they can.

 

[CayugaMum]

Just an update in case anyone comes across this thread and is in a similar scenario- my anxiety got the best of me and after about 4-5 days on liquid b complex supplement and no improvement I took my duck to the vet. After $380, and one more follow up to go to make sure we are still on a good track, we are standing and taking wobbly steps and keeping up with our sibling. The liquid b complex from what I’ve found on the label contains niacin in the form of “niacinimide”. I bought flush free b3 (niacin) capsules and have been splitting 1/3 a capsule between both of my ducks daily. In addition, we kept the b complex but for the thiamine rather than niacin- as the vet believed my duck was deficient in a few key nutrients. We also got a b12 shot at initial visit and the follow up 1 week later. We also got antibiotics in case of infection but fecal test showed no parasites or obvious bacterial infection. Most importantly, we isolated the ducklings from the chicks for now while still brooding and are feeding exclusively duck pellets. We do warm baths daily to relax and work the legs. 2 days after the first vet visit they took some wobbly tentative steps outside in the grass and it’s been a fairly upward trajectory since. Obviously there’s still room for decline and still have a long road to recovery but I don’t feel as hopeless as before. I’d recommend anyone to take their duckling to a vet when signs first start if they can.

Have you got any further updates? I'd love to know if you managed to solve the problem.
I have some Cayuga ducklings with the exact same symptoms - started as panting and sometimes diarrhoea and sometimes wobbly legs. One is getting worse and it's legs wobble and it can hardly get around now. I've spent over $1500 at 3 vets (2 avian) and these poor ducklings still aren't improving, but none of the vets said niacin deficiency. They've been given antibiotics, antifungals, and now the treatment is finally vitamins, but doesn't seem to be helping the one with the wobbly legs.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Go get the liquid b complex TSC usually carries it. It will say injectable but we use it orally 1 ml per duckling over a tasty treat so you know they are getting full dose. I hope it’s not too late for full recovery but I know the liquid b complex has helped so many over come niacin deficiency.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/niacin-deficiency-in-waterfowl.1367557/