Please help my duckling's head is leaning

[JerseyShoreGirl]

I have 2 ducks, they are about 7 weeks old now, and I just put them outside 3 days ago ( 60's at night and 70 - 80's during the day ).We check on them 3 times a day, and can see them from the windows of the house. Last time I checked about 4 hours ago they were fine, but I just went out there and only saw one duck in the pond. The other was hiding under it ( I have it raised hoping air flow will help keep the water cooler in the summer ), first I've never seen them apart like that which got me a little worried. When I picked him up his head was leaning and I thought he was just looking at me, but when I put him down his head was still tilted. He climbed in the pond than and drank some and the two stuck together than, but his head won't go straight. When he was born he waddled a lot because his one leg was a lot longer than the other, but they have been growing more equal and his waddle isn't as bad. Please I'm really REALLY new to ducks and any and all info is greatly needed. I'll try to get a picture on here soon. Thank you so much.

Amanda

 

[ChristineR]

What are you feeding them?

 

[JerseyShoreGirl]

I just switched their food last week from Purina Flock Raiser to Purina Scratch Grains, it says it's good for chickens and ducks ( I have both ). He's eating, drinking and swimming fine, but I think with his head turned he's loosing sight of his friend and that's how they're getting seperated.

 

[nachoqtpie]

I don't have anything to add... but I just want to say I hope you figure it out.

 

[Amiga]

Could be botulism or vitamin deficiency. Some ducks are more sensitive to nutrients.

Botulism is progressive and quick.

You may be able to pull him through if it is botulism, and changing his diet may help if it's vitamins.

Please read this on botulism. It's easier than me retyping. Keep us posted.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/652258/please-help-video-dizzy-unbalanced-drunk-duck-whats-wrong

 

[RhodysMom]

I'm not an expert by any means - don't even have ducks yet, but have been reading a lot. I was just on TSCs website looking at foods for the upcoming ducklings and I remember reading that the Scratch Grains are only to be fed as a supplemental, not as the main feed.

From the website:
Feeding instructions:
Purina

Scratch Grains SunFresh

is a supplement, not a complete feed and should be fed in limited amounts to adult chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys to encourage natural pecking and feeding instincts. Feeding too much Scratch Grains will dilute the feed intake of complete feeds such as Purina

Start & Grow

, Purina

Layena

and Purina

Flock Raiser

, reducing the bird's nutritional intake and overall performance.

I'd get your little one back on a complete feed and give him some extra vitamins like in Save a Chick or something (experienced duck owners please correct me if I'm wrong). I hope he pulls through ok. Best of luck to you both.

 

[m.kitchengirl]

I would also switch back to a more nutritionally sound diet.
A flock raiser is typically good for all, and supplement with sav-a-chick, electrolytes, and I would DEFINITELY add brewer's yeast to their feed or niacin tablets to the water.

It may be just a niacin deficiency. Some ducks are more sensitive to nutritional changes than others.
It may also be early warning signs of botulism.

Good luck.

 

[JerseyShoreGirl]

I switched to Purina Flock Raiser and I've added save a chick to his water. I also brought him back inside so I know he's drinking the save a chick and eating the feed and not drinking the pool water and eating the leaves His head has got more of a lean to it, about 60 degrees now, but he doesn't walk in circles and has no problem going in and out of the pond, eating, or drinking. He can also move his head straight to scratch an itch or preen. Any other ideas or suggestions would be great. Thank you so much for everything.

 

[Amiga]

An injury to the neck could also be the culprit. It is just not simple sometimes to figure out the source of the problem.

Stick with it, usually ducks will respond very well once we deal with what is causing the trouble. Could he have fallen, perhaps? They can get themselves into some strange pickles.

 

[JerseyShoreGirl]

He's been eating and drinking fine, swimming fine, doesn't seem to be in any pain, and he still has mobility to hold his head straight or even lean it in the other direction ( to scratch or preen ) there really doesn't seem to be any change. He's been inside and on the vitamins for days now, I've been massaging it GENTLY, I just don't know. Our jobs have all but stopped ( factories ) so I can't afford a vet right now. He's still growing like a weed and isn't losing weight. I was watching him outside before I brought him in and he'd stick his head outside the fence to eat the plants, I'm starting to think he might of gotten himself stuck at some point and wrentched it, but I've never noticed swelling. I'm checking him 10 mins in the morning and he's normally resting his head on the side of the water pan ( at least he can sit in it ) and keeps it at almost a 90 degree angle even when I take him out. But when my husband gets home he brings him outside and it's just about a 10 degree angle. There really hasn't been a change for a few days now. In the beginning he was slowly getting better for the first few days but he's stopped and there's been no change ( better or worse ) for a few days now.