Sick Duckling

[Howitz]

Hello,

Need some help. I’ve got ducklings that are about 7 weeks old. Everything going well until today.

I have one that is a little lame but the bigger issue is the feathers under the body look like they are falling out. What remains looks very tattered. He is also shivering like it’s cold.

Thoughts?

 

[Eggcessive]

I will tag @Miss Lydia and you may want to bring the duck in where it is warm on dry bedding? What are you feeding? Can you give some vitamin B complex orally 1/4 tablet daily crushed in water or food? Offer some water now. There is also a duck forum to post on if you look under Forums above.

 

[Howitz]

We are feeding a starter That was recommended by the store. It’s for fowl other than chickens. Note the other four ducklings look normal.

 

[Isaac 0]

I posted in your other thread,

Welcome to BYC!

"Your duck is in very critical condition. I would first get her off that gravel, and take her inside in a dog kennel with soft bedding with food and water. DO a full external examination of her body, check for bruising, wounds, bumblefoot, etc. If you do see something, take a picture and post it here. I would start off by cleaning her eye's with 1/8 teaspoon per cup saline wash, after that apply an ophthalmic gel around the eye, to prevent the sticky eye from happening again make sure she has access to deep water 24/7.

Given her breed, and state of health, I wouldn't be surprised if she is niacin deficient, so I'd also start her on Durvet B complex, 1ml a day over treats for good leg health. Read here for more info,

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/niacin-deficiency-in-waterfowl.1367557/

We'll need to tend to her current problems first, but she's going to need a bit of supportive care and exercise to get her back on her feet.

I'm not sure what brand you are feeding, but she should be fed either an All Flock Type Feed, or a feed formulated specifically for waterfowl."

She's most likely niacin deficient and has become almost paralyzed, so she's basically slowly wasting away.