no help to offer for Elmer with the curled toes?

[burntcoffey]

Wow this is a tough crowd. I have posted every which way about this and cant get help.
Im gonna try one more time. ....

Elmer is a 10 day old duckling that I believe (?) had niacin def. although he is the only one of 6 with symptoms. lots of sitting down, not growing and finally this past saturday lameness and then curled toes.

I know have little shoe/splints on this guys feet and am putting niacin in the water. Slight improvment with shoe on one foot for about 18 hours before it fell off. I have replaced and added to the other foot which was curled but not as much.

The question is should he be able to walk with these splints on? He sort of drags. He eats and drinks robustly if I move him/hold him near the water and food. loves peas and greens.

I tried separating him with a friend but they both screamed and banged on the walls of their hospital. The friend being bigger was stepping on Elmer.

Any answers any other ideas any help what.so.ever. would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Jessica89]

So sorry nobody has replied to you. I have never come across this problem before but I did find an old thread.

Hope this helps and hope Elmer gets better soon!!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/50180/day-old-ducklings-feet-are-curled-under

x

 

[forgetful]

10 days is a bit old to completely fix the curled toes. You'll have to keep the splints on for a few weeks to make a permanent difference. I think he should be walking instead of dragging, even with the splints. If his friend is stepping on him he needs a bit bigger enclosure, even if that means he could possibly end up too far from his food. I think the only thing to do now is continue your treatment. I had a duckling with a crooked neck which I believe was from a deficiency. After adding niacin (I had bought them from someone who was not supplying it to them) for a few weeks it corrected itself. Slightly different problem, but same cure barring the splints.

 

[burntcoffey]

Thanks for replying.

Wondering why 10 days is long for fixing the toes? They didnt curl until yesterday...although I am guessing they were weak before that.

Here are the toes pretreatment. The splints and Elmer in comparison to his sibs.

Im wondering if he cant walk with them because I did them wrong or if he is just weak. He got around better with the just the one on. seems as tho maybe he isnt strong enough to pull the foot over, tip of boot/foot get stuck.

I am just going to keep going. I dont have high hopes and wonder if it would be more humane to euthanize him

 

[forgetful]

The day after hatch the ligaments are already strengthening and 'harding'. As time goes on so does the length of treatment needed. I think it is due to weakness more than how you splinted. Give him another week, and if there is no improvement maybe culling should be considered as an option

 

[casportpony]

What is the protein percentage of your starter?

-Kathy

 

[casportpony]

And does it contain bacitracin? Is the starter feed for turkeys, gamefowl, waterfowl or chickens?

-Kathy

 

[Miss Lydia]

another bit of info that may help https://sites.google.com/a/poultrypedia.com/poultrypedia/poultry-podiatry

 

[burntcoffey]

22% and does not contain bacitracin that I am that I am aware of.

 

[casportpony]

Is the starter feed for turkeys, gamefowl, waterfowl or chickens?

-Kathy