Shakey Ducklings

[HecticHollyKatt]

I’ve got 3 ducklings and I bought from Southern States and they were all ok when we got them. I’ve had them for over a months now and they’ve started to get their feathers. My littlest duckling started shaking and I thought it was because he was scared when I picked him up but today I’ve noticed that if he stood still long enough his legs will shake and vibrate. I don’t know what’s wrong with him, has anyone ever experienced this before?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Your lil duckling most likely has a niacin def. Chick starter doesn't have the amount ducklings need. So go to your local Walmart or feed store and buy Vitamin B Complex This will get into his system pretty quick and it really does help with leg issues like shaking and lameness.

 

[HecticHollyKatt]

Last update, I have been giving him the vitamin b for a while now and I haven’t seen him shaking anymore. Thank you so much to everyone who gave suggestions

 

[Kiki]

Do you have an niacin on hand?
Human pills, nutritional yeast or brewers yeast?

 

[casportpony]

Go look at the bag of feed...look close to see if it is medicated chick starter and report back.

FYI, medicated chick starter is fine for ducklings if the medication is amprolium or bacitracin. There are a few others that are safe too, but I don't remember the names.

The problem with chick starter is that it does not contain enough niacin and other vitamins and minerals that ducklings need.

 

[HecticHollyKatt]

This is probably a silly idea, don't get mad, but could it be that the duckling is just cold?

I don’t think so, they stay inside with me all day and I’ve taken them outside on sunny warm days. They always stick together, and I feel like if one was cold the others would be too.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'd say try the B complex other wise with just the short view we got the duckling looks healthy. Leg problems are usually due to niacin deficiency so we rule out by trying this first. Hoping that is all it is.

 

[HecticHollyKatt]

I'd say try the B complex other wise with just the short view we got the duckling looks healthy. Leg problems are usually due to niacin deficiency so we rule out by trying this first. Hoping that is all it is.

I got some, I hope it works too. Thank you

 

[HecticHollyKatt]

The update so far is I’ve give him some and it seems to be working. He takes it quite well too which makes me happy. I’ll be keeping a close eye on him the next couple days

 

[CayugaJana]

I just want to mention shaking that is normal for first time duck Mommas. My adults will vibrate or shake their necks and heads. That is normal. Mine do it when they are annoyed with one of the other ducks. It means get out of my way most of the time. But as previous posters have mentioned, shaking in the legs is not normal.