Sick Pekin

[Meleducks]

Hello, I’ve got a sick 8 week old Pekin that has only gotten worse over the course of the past week ): he’s been the weaker of our two ducks from the get go, his sister is a much more aggressive eater and pretty quickly began to exceed him in size. He used to stress me out when he’d eat because he wouldn’t take breaks to drink water often enough and his little neck would swell up. I don’t know if it’s possible that maybe he’s had an ailment this entire time?
Sunday night he was just fine when we put him and his sister away in their duck house at sundown then on Monday morning he was unable to walk. We didn’t realize until the afternoon that he hadn’t left the duck coop and initially thought it was heat related but his sister who stayed by his side is just fine. He was eating okay from our hand but now four days later he’s stopped eating and drinking pretty much altogether and his weight has dropped as quickly as he gained it. When this all started we made sure to give him special attention at meals thinking maybe he needed more niacin but honestly I can’t imagine that this is a niacin deficiency as we mix brewers yeast into all of their meals, and add niacin to their water as well. He’s also been breathing very hard all week. We wanted to give him his best shot but he’s only gotten worse and now he is very clearly suffering. Does anyone have a guess as to what it could be and if anything could be done for him at this point? I didn’t want to have to put him down but now I’m conflicted because it seems more cruel to not.

 

[casportpony]

Welcome to BYC!
What type of food are you feeding him?

 

[chickens really]

Totally your decision..If its suffering then I'd put it down. Pekin Ducks are meat birds and without knowledge they are tough to raise. Lots of leg issues and diet related issues too..
Best wishes...

 

[Meleducks]

Thank you!
It’s NatureWise chick starter grower 18% protein crumble

 

[casportpony]

Thank you!
It’s NatureWise chick starter grower 18% protein crumble

And what type of supplements? Once we know exactly what is being fed we can address all possible nutritional deficiencies.

 

[casportpony]

Is this the one?

 

[Meleducks]

And what type of supplements? Once we know exactly what is being fed we can address all possible nutritional deficiencies.

And what type of supplements? Once we know exactly what is being fed we can address all possible nutritional deficiencies.

I use Animed pure brewers yeast, a tablespoon morning/night. Spring valley niacin capsules, I just open them up and sprinkle some into the water, they’re 500 mg a capsule so I don’t typically put the entire thing in their water but since he’s been sick I have been. They get green beans, and meal worm treats here and there too along with a chick grit.

 

[Meleducks]

Is this the one?
View attachment 1804501

Yes that’s the one!

 

[chickens really]

Pekin Ducklings at first should be fed a Broiler starter like a Turkey or meat bird starter feed. Then switched to the Grower/ finisher feed..Hopefully it heals up and you can save it..

 

[Miss Lydia]

Pekins might have been considered meat birds at one time but now they are beloved pets too and even though they can have leg issues usually diet related. . . But looks like your feeding a good wholesome feed so probably isn’t a feed issue only thing I could see is maybe changing feed to an all flock. It’s formulated for all poultry. Could be something your Pekin was born with and nothing will help but unless you try other things you’ll never know what might. I think @casportpony said turkey starter has high protein which may not be so good in fast growing Pekins. Maybe give him one more chance and use A liquid BComplex TSC has the best in the cattle dept and it will say injectable but just pull of the foil and use a syringe or dropper and give him 1ml morning over something yummy and 1 ml evening over something yummy. We have seen this formula do wonders for ducks so giving it a try sure can’t hurt.