Silkie Ducks having trouble walking... Help Please!

[19hhbelgian]

I have a trio of silkie ducks who are about 1.5 years old. I just lost my baby that I hatched out last summer, and I don't want to lose any more. It started out the same with Karat, who just passed. Only symptom is seeming slightly off balance, and not wanting to walk. They will if they have to, but will walk hunch backed (hopefully you can picture what I'm talking about), and will drag their tail on the ground. I moved them into the shed just tonight, and have a heat lamp on for them in case they are just that cold. I periodically dust for mites in the regular coop because of the wild birds that also claim it as their home, but was considering frontline on the ducks (like I would my polish chickens) just in case they have something I can't see. They have water and food, but no where to swim right now cause of the cold weather. I've had ducks and geese before, and they were strictly free range, wouldn't get near a shelter for anything, healthy as a horse birds - never had one single problem. I don't have the luxury of living next to a creek anymore, which is why I got the silkies - figured they were smaller and would be better in an enclosed area when need be. Other than this they have always been very healthy lively birds - never had any problems at all. They have no injuries, and have never gotten picked on by the chickens. I did check for injuries - nothing I could find.

SO:
1) Don't want to walk unless made to
2) Will walk but seem off balance
3) Walk hunch backed w/tail dragging on the ground
4) Fresh drinking water and food, but no swimming pool right now
5) Moved into shed with heat lamp just tonight
6) Dusting periodically for mites as a preventative

Please help me figure this out, I love my duckies and don't want to lose anybody else

 

[duckyfromoz]

They sound like well cared for duckies... I can only think of 2 things that havent already been ruled out by your description of their care.

Worms or they have ingested something toxic.

You say you dust for mites.. But have you ever wormed them??

 

[19hhbelgian]

Quote:
Is wazine ok or should I use something else? I haven't wormed in a while. Since summer

Man I'd never forgive myself if that's what took my Karat ducky

 

[duckyfromoz]

Sorry I cant help you with a brand or type of wormer, I only really know of the ones I use that are available here in Australia. I will google that one though- and see what it says and compare it to what I know is safe with ducks.

If they are carrying a heavy worm burden- you may be able to tell from their poop. There is no harm in worming them regardless - and just to rule it out- but it still could be something else that is causing your ducks to be sick.



Editted to add.

Wazine
Active Drug Ingredient

Each 100 mL contains 17 grams Piperazine Base (present as sulfate).

That is what is in what I use. The site I found listed it for use in Chickens - turkeys and pigs- but not ducks - Also it has a withholding period- and says not to use on sick or weak birds- It might be worth checking the poop for signs of worms before giving them any- as if its not worms- it might actually do more harm than good.

 

[19hhbelgian]

Thank you

I'll look into it some more.

 

[destinduck]

Sounds to me like something they ate or moldy food. Not worms.

 

[Wifezilla]

Leg issues can be a sign of niacin deficiency. Crush up a brewer's yeast tablet and put it in their water.

 

[19hhbelgian]

Quote:
I will definitely try this. Do you know if the chickens can drink that also or should I just keep them separate? Thanks for the good thoughts!