Pekin with niacin deficiency

[bgossett]

Hi, I have 6 new ducklings that I purchased ant Rule King this year 2 Khaki Campbell’s, 2 Rouen’s, and 2 Pekin’s. They all seem to be just fine except for one of the Pekin’s, for some reason it seems to have a niacin deficiency. Is this something more common for Pekin’s? iv put them all on vitamins powder for poultry and they all eat starter feed. I’m planning on getting the 100 mg to 150 mg niacin. Do I need to separate the Pekin’s from the others, or should I just give them all niacin? Iv read that to much niacin isn’t good and can cause kidney failure.

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

Do you have regular Pekins or Jumbo Pekins? I ask b/c the Pekins I bought last year and brooded from the feed store seemed to have the leg issues for the first 2 weeks or so, and I suspect that may be due to breed. This year I have 3 regular Pekins from feed store and they don't display that at all. My advice would be to stick with the vitamin supplement in the water for now. That might be all they need. Hopefully someone who is knowledgable about NiacinSupplements will be on soon to answer your question better than I can (having never supplemented with Niacin). What about offering food that is Niacin-rich like squash and leafy greens?

 

[Amiga]

bgossett, since you are giving multi vitamins, you might give them niacin at 50 mg per gallon, for a boost. That may not even be necessary.

On your original post, and I see the diagnosis, but what are they symptoms? There are many for niacin deficiency. Could you help us out with some details?

I would be sure they get into warm water just up to their tummies every day, to get weight off the legs, improve circulation and strengthen their muscles.

I gave vitamins once a week or two when my ducklings were young just for a boost, since there were very few health issues.

And giving them small amounts - like a teaspoon each at a time - of squash, or a few shreds of dark leafy greens (not so much spinach due to calcium binding) is a great idea. Finding nutritious fresh foods is good for all of us.

Before you give regular food like that - aside from the feedstore rations - make sure they have received just a little bit (a teaspoon sprinkled on their food in the morning) of chick-sized grit every day for at least a few days. If you don't, they cannot "chew" the food and could get impacted and that can be fatal. Yikes!

 

[bgossett]

Not real sure if they are jumbo or not, but thanks for the advise on the squash. I will make sure to get some today and see what happens

 

[bgossett]

The pekin has bowed legs and swelled joints, the others seem to be just fine. This year has been bad were I live, last year it was 80 outside by now but its still in the 50s this year. All my ducks did very well last year and I had no problems, im scared to let them outside to much with the temp so low and im wondering if them having to be in a pen so much has caused any of these problems. Ive had to keep increasing the size of there enclosure because they grow so fast, but I change there bedding ( straw ) 2 times a day, make sure they always have food and water and a heat lamp. Last year is was so nice that my others could spend there day outside playing in a kiddy pool as often as they wanted, but these are my first pekins and they seem to be the only ones with any issues.

 

[Miss Lydia]

The pekin has bowed legs and swelled joints, the others seem to be just fine. This year has been bad were I live, last year it was 80 outside by now but its still in the 50s this year. All my ducks did very well last year and I had no problems, im scared to let them outside to much with the temp so low and im wondering if them having to be in a pen so much has caused any of these problems. Ive had to keep increasing the size of there enclosure because they grow so fast, but I change there bedding ( straw ) 2 times a day, make sure they always have food and water and a heat lamp. Last year is was so nice that my others could spend there day outside playing in a kiddy pool as often as they wanted, but these are my first pekins and they seem to be the only ones with any issues.

You might want to read this, sounds like a niacin diff. to me. http://metzerfarms.blogspot.com/2011/03/are-my-ducklings-leg-problems-due-to.html

 

[Amiga]

Thanks for the details.

Something that is good for joint problems with people and ducks is Epsom salts compresses. Es is a laxative, so you don't want them to ingest it, but you can soak a clean rag in warm water that has Es dissolved in it, and wrap that around the duckling's legs for five minutes at a time, twice a day. I would definitely try that.

 

[bgossett]

Thanks for the advise, iv been on that web site and a few more lol but they keep saying to use niacin. I always like to get advise from people also, some of the books iv read has said to use niacin also, do you have any Recommendations on books ?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thanks for the advise, iv been on that web site and a few more lol but they keep saying to use niacin. I always like to get advise from people also, some of the books iv read has said to use niacin also, do you have any Recommendations on books ?

Storey's Guide to raising Ducks is a really good one.