One of my three little ducklings randomly falling over

[ctroxtell]

We picked up an assortment of chicks and 3 ducks a few days ago. I noticed just a few minutes ago when the duckling went to walk they would fall over ending up on its little back and would begin flapping and kicking. After giving the duckling some time the duckling is back up on its feet. Is this anything to be concerned with? We've fed them the Medicated Purina Start & Grow and chick grit.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Make sure it's nutritional yeast and not baking yeast. Big difference. But when one is already has a problem liquid B complex is better.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...dicated-feed-the-myths-and-the-truth.1247838/
Info on liquid B complex and dose for age of ducklings.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/niacin-deficiency-in-waterfowl.1367557/

I hope you helped the little duckling right itself when it was on its back. That can be very stressful for one.

It takes a little effort but you can get the top off the bottle without having to use a syringe to get the liquid out. Then just use the rubber stopper to keep it fresh and place in the frig. Don't give it cold to your young duckling though.

You may want to have 2 brooders going anyway the ducklings are much messier than the chicks and you don't want the chicks wet.
ideas
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/how-to-set-up-a-duckling-brooder.75719/
something else put the chick grit in a separate container from their feed they will use it as needed.

 

[HeritageFan]

Ducklings should not be on medicated feed based on my research- I have always started them on non medicated feed.
@Miss Lydia
@Eggcessive
@New duck mommy 2021 - can you back me up on this?

And. Nutritional yeast is a great Niacin supplement - but you may need something more potent to get the lil dude that is struggling back up to speed.

I’ve had good success w Durvet Vitamin B (liquid, injectable for cattle) supplement, available at most feed stores.
You need a syringe (w a needle) to draw it up from the bottle, and then it is squirted over some dry mealworms or soldier fly larvae to encourage them to get the full dose (no injection for the ducky application )

You may need to separate that baby when giving the supplement to be certain that s/he gets it all.
Swim therapy can also help, if it is warm enough where you are.
Separate the little one, offer some supervised pool time, then give the “treats” would be my recommendation, if possible- and 2x daily. You will need to continue treatment about a week after s/he begins walking normally again.

How much does this baby weigh, so we can get you the correct dose?
(A guess is ok.... but a week old Khaki Campbell is a different “bear” than a 6 week old pekin )

 

[ctroxtell]

Make sure it's nutritional yeast and not baking yeast. Big difference. But when one is already has a problem liquid B complex is better.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...dicated-feed-the-myths-and-the-truth.1247838/
Info on liquid B complex and dose for age of ducklings.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/niacin-deficiency-in-waterfowl.1367557/

I hope you helped the little duckling right itself when it was on its back. That can be very stressful for one.

Okay, well that is good that the medicated food isn't bad for them. We did help the little duckling, my little wife was ready to cry thinking she had done something wrong when she got the duckling out to spend some time with it. We initially just helped it back onto its little feet and it would just fall right back over, ended up picking it up to check its little legs and sat it back down. Given just a minute it was back up and running around.

 

[ctroxtell]

Make sure it's nutritional yeast and not baking yeast. Big difference. But when one is already has a problem liquid B complex is better.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...dicated-feed-the-myths-and-the-truth.1247838/
Info on liquid B complex and dose for age of ducklings.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/niacin-deficiency-in-waterfowl.1367557/

I hope you helped the little duckling right itself when it was on its back. That can be very stressful for one.

It takes a little effort but you can get the top off the bottle without having to use a syringe to get the liquid out. Then just use the rubber stopper to keep it fresh and place in the frig. Don't give it cold to your young duckling though.

You may want to have 2 brooders going anyway the ducklings are much messier than the chicks and you don't want the chicks wet.
ideas
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/how-to-set-up-a-duckling-brooder.75719/
something else put the chick grit in a separate container from their feed they will use it as needed.

I just realized I didn't even respond to half of your post. It is nutritional yeast, we are big into clean cooking. Currently, the chicks and ducklings are all inside of a 107-gallon outdoor chest like you would use to put a water hose or outdoor tools inside of, I wanted to give the chicks and ducks the most possible space. Currently using the Roosty's feeder and water, it has 3 height adjustments on it to help keep the food and water elevated. When you mention not wanting the chicks wet, are you referring to the ducklings splashing in the water? So far they haven't made a huge mess, I believe it's deep enough for them to stick their entire beak into and being elevated a little harder for them to play in. Thank you again for all of this helpful information, we want to ensure they all have a great life with us!

 

[Jenbirdee]

i use braggs nutritional yeast , yes its the same kind people use, and it has a cheezy flavor

 

[Jenbirdee]

oh and can you post a pic of the little one walking around and/ or while you are holding her in a position so we can see her legs /

 

[Miss Lydia]

Bless it. Be sure that none of the other birds begin to bully the little one. Sometimes that can happen when one is showing signs of having a problem.
This will give you doses and info on Niacin deficiency and becasue it's so young you going to want to mush the mealworms a little so they are easier to eat. Are you offering chick grit? you'll need some since feeding anything other than their crumble they need chick grit to grind it up. You might try just giving the little one a drop at a time just inside the bill let it swallow then do it again if it won't eat the mealworms. [My ducks love them but some don't] Mush-up green peas are another good snack for ducklings and they do have some niacin in them. Buy frozen and thaw under hot water drain and mash just enough of the peas that the duckling will eat it all and get it's full dose.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/niacin-deficiency-in-waterfowl.1367557/
since this little one is still so young I would go with just a few drops at a time right inside the bill as the info in the link recommends. Right now they need their feed for all the nutrients it can give so treats should be minimal if at all.

 

[ctroxtell]

Just wanted to post an update...as I hate when I go to reading a thread and it dead ends. I think Whiskey is standing more, she is still wobbly on her feet. They are so cute, Whiskey is the only one that has got her quack so far and their little feathers are coming in. We filled up a short tote with water today and they got in it in the sun and were all three zooming around in the water. We've been giving her the 1mL of Durvet daily and adding Anthoys Organic nutritional yeast to their feed at about 1.5Tbsp per 1 cup of food.

 

[nuthatched]

My wife may have some with all the home cooking she does. Do we just mix it in with the food? The ducks and chicks are in the same area.

It won't hurt the chicks at all. 1 tbs per cup of feed.