One wobbley duck problem.

[Tommy]

On Wednesday I received 21 white crested ducks. Ordered 20, and it seems 1 of them is having a hard time. Ever since I took them out of the box this one seems to have a hard time staying on his feet. I at first thought it might just be shock from travel and since he was taking in plenty of water and feed (as much or more) as the other ones he would snap out of it.

He has continued to eat and drink with the others, but he walks real shaky and constantly falls over and lays there kicking for a while then either stops or one of the other ones will run over him and that seems to flip him back up and then sits there for a bit then wobbles around some more or rests.

He seems to be healthy and not in pain, but I don't know whether he is going to die from some problem I don't know about and I should euthenize (however you spell that, stupid spellcheck won't give me the right options.)

If he will live healthy, but be wobbly forever I can deal with that just for a unique duck that has a different perspective on life...

he likes to look at the world from a laying down position.

I have never raised ducks before, but did read a book about it, unfortunately last night I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn Express so I am lost as to what this lil duckling's future will be.

If this is some genetic disease that can be spread through mating I would like to know as well.

Thanks a bunch for any ideas as what I should do to or for him.

 

[DuckLady]

What are you feeding?
I have always had trouble with medicated feed for ducklings.

 

[Tommy]

I feed them Dumor Chick Starter/Grower 20%. Does not say medicated anywhere on the bag. They would have to tell you if it was medicated right?

 

[professor-yellow]

Doble check with the dealer.

 

[7littlebit6657]

If you put it in a quart jar with a rag in the bottom (with no lid, jar on it's side), or a low dish with a lid (don't put the lid on completely so it can breath) so he can't flip over for a day they sometimes come out of it. You have to take it out periodically for food and water. If you don't do anything it will die because it will get on it's back and the others will run over it. It seems it is a bit of a cycle in that they get on their back and get disoriented and then just keep doing it, if you can stop it they come out of it. Unless it is neurological.

Littlebit

 

[DuckLady]

Chick starter doesn't have the niacin that ducklings need. Try sprinkling brewers yeast on top of the duckling's feed and see if that doesn't help. It sounds like a vitamin deficiency.

 

[Tommy]

I will put it in a widemouth quart mason jar tonight and also, where might I find brewers yeast.

I live in a dry county and the surrounding counties are all dry as well. Is it something used for other things as well that a small town grocer might have? Is there something else that might work. I have been giving them vitamin water.

When i got the ducks I had ordered already some yellow powder that you mix with water that makes 128 gallons of vitamin water that I have been giving them. Said to do it for first 7 weeks.

Thanks a bunch,
Tommy


edit: Well, I tried the jar for a little bit, I din't put the lid on it and I was worried it may get too hot in there with the glass around it so when he got out I just picked him up and held him for a bit and examined his behavior in more detail and it seems his problem is in his head because when I hold his body still his head seems to shake around sorta. He doesn't seem to be in pain and is just a little bit smaller than the rest, but is pretty close. I suppose until I find out he's in pain he can just live out his life however short or long it may be as a handicapped critter.