pekin duckling question

[chasehope]

I have a pekin duckling, well 2 actually, but only 1 in question, who is HUGE. He is 2 weeks old and already seems to have problems walking. His joints in his legs (ankles?) are really big and he is having a hard time getting around. He takes lots of rests. the other is half his size, hatched the same day and doing well. Is this normal of pekins? Are they the cornish X of the duck world? Will he be able to carry his own weight? I feel bad for the little guy, we bought him as a pet! Here is a picture of him, thats my husband holding him, so you can kind of get an idea of how big he is already.

 

[Chicken_Addict]

Ok i have nc abt that type of duck but compared to mine that are abt 3 weeks old holy schmit!!! my duckies are tiny compared to him! sorry i cant help but he is cute

 

[silkiechicken]

I dont know much about ducks but maybe you can try restricting his feed? I do that with cornish so they dont have as many leg problems.

 

[Duck-Madx]

My friend keeps Pekins and i think she's had 2 who have grown rather quickly, and bigger than her others at around 2/3 weeks.


She worried about it at first, but after a trip to the vet, the vet just said some ducks just grow faster than others. That explains the size but im not so sure about the leg problem.
SO it could be linked, Im not sure.
It could just be since he's growing so fast, he might be finding it hard to walk, all out of proportion.

If nothing improves, I'd consider you take him to the vet.

 

[fowlweatherfriends]

Hello,
I would ask first, what kind of feed? Maybe trying to get a feed that has a bit lower protein content may help, but I know with the other one being smaller that you may want to keep a higher protein for it-difficult huh?

Medicated chick starter is NOT good for ducks. The ducks ingest much more food than chicks, and can get too much medication. Also, chick starter does not contain enough niacin, which is VERY important for a growing duck. Do a google of niacin (a B vitamin) to see whatit is neccessary for. Also, if I remember correctly, chick starter has a higher protein amount that may cause growth too fast. The reccomended food is waterfowl starter-but thats hard to find. The next choice is non-medicated gamebird starter.

Info on niacin-B3:
Niacin assists in the functioning of the digestive system, skin, and nerves. It is also important for the conversion of food to energy.

Vitamin B3 - niacin, niacinamide, nicotinic acid - information page
Niacin also called nicotinic acid, niacinamide or nicotinic acid and referred to as vitamin B 3, which can be manufactured by the body. Niacin is derived from two compounds - nicotinic acid and niacinamide.


Vitamin B3 is required for cell respiration, helps in the release of energy and metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, proper circulation and healthy skin, functioning of the nervous system, and normal secretion of bile and stomach fluids.

A deficiency may cause pellagra, the classic niacin deficiency disease, and is characterized by bilateral dermatitis, diarrhea, and dementia.

Best wishes!

 

[Napalongtail]

If they are still in the house in a brooder..Get them outside. 2 yup restrict lil (big) mans feed. put food down 30 minutes 3 times a day thats it and let them go out to munch weeds. Pekins from the hatcheries are meant for meat not pets. They are best kept as free range or pond dwellers when they get older.

 

[fowlweatherfriends]

2 yup restrict lil (big) mans feed

??​

 

[Critter Crazy]

I have 2 pekin Ducklings, and yes they have grown amazingly fast, and they arent as active as the two Silver Appleyard Ducklings i have that were hatched the same day. They however do seem healthy, and move around just fine. Just a tad slower that the Appleyards, who Zoom around Contantly!

 

[chasehope]

they are in a 4X6 pen in the garage during the night and when its super cold, but they have a 30X30 pen outside that they go in during the day and when its warm. They are not from a hatchery, they are from a woman local to me. He is not and has not eaten chick starter. they are eating flock raiser by purina (20%) as they are in with the chicks and turkeys who are much older than them, but not much if any bigger. They don't have access to food all the time, because I can't seem to leave enough food in there. Everytime I go out there (several times a day) the feeder is empty. So they do get fed only about 3 times a day. Unfortunately if this continues, my husband just says that we will eat him. He won't allow me to take him to the vet. Thanks for the input.

 

[Duck-Madx]

Quote:
Oh, Very sad to hear that :|
Lets just hope that he does get better then eh?