Pekin leg problems

[katiemichelle4]

I feel like i’m doing something wrong. I had to put down my duck earlier this year because her hock joint blew up. Antibiotics and pain medication for weeks and it just got worse and came down to her quality of life she was living. Fast forward to my other pekins duck, same exact problem. Weeks on antibiotics and it’s just getting worse. Now one of my other pekins look like she has a swollen hock joint. I feed them purina duck feed and I also put brewers yeast in their water everyday. They also have a can of peas a days scattered. Do i have bad luck or am i doing something wrong? I’m 24 and these ducks are my kids and i feel so discouraged

 

[Wyorp Rock]

So sorry your having troubles.

Let's tag in some folks that are knowledgeable about Ducks that may be able to offer some tips/suggestions.
@shawluvsbirds @Isaac 0 @Miss Lydia @WVduckchick

 

[shawluvsbirds]

I feel like i’m doing something wrong. I had to put down my duck earlier this year because her hock joint blew up. Antibiotics and pain medication for weeks and it just got worse and came down to her quality of life she was living. Fast forward to my other pekins duck, same exact problem. Weeks on antibiotics and it’s just getting worse. Now one of my other pekins look like she has a swollen hock joint. I feed them purina duck feed and I also put brewers yeast in their water everyday. They also have a can of peas a days scattered. Do i have bad luck or am i doing something wrong? I’m 24 and these ducks are my kids and i feel so discouraged

It's not you it's the breed of duck you have. They are notorious for these kinds of issues and cannot always be fixed. Niacin supplements from the very beginning can help, but it does not mean it can't still happen.
Pekin ducks were bred to be meat birds. Due to how fast they grow and how heavy they get their legs just start having problems after a while of having to hold them up long past the point they were meant to be processed.
It sounds like you are doing your best to help them recover. That's really all you can do is your best and and end the suffering when the time comes you can do no more.

 

[WVduckchick]

Shaw makes great points that I agree with. So don’t beat yourself up about it.

Some questions/things to consider: do they have a pool/somewhere to swim? I think water therapy is greatly beneficial and helps strengthen weaker legs.

You sound like a loving duck mommie, if you want to have long-time pet ducks, you may consider looking into some other breeds.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Do you know much niacin is in your brewers yeast per 2 tablespoons? Brewers yeast contains vastly different amounts of niacin depending on the brand. Your average duck breed requires 55mg of niacin per Kilo of feed and Perkins need 70mg+. The feed you are using has 55mg of niacin which means that you would need a brewers yeast with 15mg per serving mixed in with each Kilo of feed to reach the 70mg of niacin per Kilo of feed for a Pekin. If I'm reading correctly you are adding it to their water which would dilute the amount of niacin from the brewers yeast to a miniscule amount. I would recommend ordering online or finding at your local farm store Durvet's B complex. The dosage is 1ml per day for ducks 2 weeks of age and older.

 

[katiemichelle4]

Do you know much niacin is in your brewers yeast per 2 tablespoons? Brewers yeast contains vastly different amounts of niacin depending on the brand. Your average duck breed requires 55mg of niacin per Kilo of feed and Perkins need 70mg+. The feed you are using has 55mg of niacin which means that you would need a brewers yeast with 15mg per serving mixed in with each Kilo of feed to reach the 70mg of niacin per Kilo of feed for a Pekin. If I'm reading correctly you are adding it to their water which would dilute the amount of niacin from the brewers yeast to a miniscule amount. I would recommend ordering online or finding at your local farm store Durvet's B complex. The dosage is 1ml per day for ducks 2 weeks of age and older.

Thank you so much!! How do you feel about actual niacin pills that I could give them ?

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Thank you so much!! How do you feel about actual niacin pills that I could give them ?

Niacin pills work as long as they are NOT labeled "No Flush" or "Flush Free" otherwise the niacin is out of their system before their bodies can process it. Depending on how many mg per pill you may need to get a gram scale and measure out the dosages. Here is a great article on niacin deficiency and dosages in both ml and mg.https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/niacin-deficiency-in-waterfowl.1367557/#post-22517848