some helpful thoughts on my little duckling?

[Krystle807]

I have a 2 week old Indian Runner duckling, and from day 1 that we have had the little one(I got it when it was 2 days old, along with two others IR's, a crested Khaki Campbell, and a Cayuga) it was clearly smaller and calmer than the other ducklings, but it still swam/ate/drank/peeped like normal, which I always keep a close eye on to look for any signs of anything being out of the ordinary. What I did start to notice was that it didn't like to be on it's feet a lot, and would walk with it's wings out to help balance while basically tip-toeing around (it looks like it is doing ballerina moves across the floor) and it walks for a little but then sits back down. I thought at first that it may just be that it hasn't quite grown into those long skinny legs yet because they are a little bit longer than the other two IR's, but this one is still petite, and the walking/balancing hasn't gotten any better. This is the first time I have raised the Indian Runner breed, so I am not sure if it is something underlying that is wrong, or if it is just something in it's bone/leg structure that it may grow out of because of the longer legs, or if it just happens to have "bad" legs and will always have this problem. If anyone could please, please give me some feedback as to what may be going on and what/if there is anything I can do to help the little one out so it can get around a little better, or if anyone has had an experience like this?? Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

[duckyfromoz]

I often see some of my older runner ducklings walking a little odd at times- Some that seem to stomp around and others- like you say tend to want to sit down a lot - but I havent noticed it in Runners under six weeks of age. I dont really know what to suggest in such a young runner- who is obviously eating - drinking and being housed the same as others. What type of feed are you giving them ?? Nutrition could still be involved here somehow -

 

[thndrdancr]

I have read that ducklings need more niacin than chicks, for their legs/feet. I hope someone else chimes in thats familiar with ducks to help out, but I know I read that, as I just got a duckling and he had a bit of leg probs so I was reading up on how to help him.

 

[Krystle807]

I feed them unmedicated starter, which is what I have always fed my ducklings-I actually had one of my mallards last year develop the "slipped/twisted" wing, which I was told was from a little too much nutrient intake with it's growth...all my mallards are such piggys in more ways than one!-but because of this I have never worried about lack-thereof, and why this situation has me confused. As a precatution though, I have started taking the little one out away from the others and giving it separate feedings to make sure the other bigger more high-strung ones aren't bullying it out of the proper amount of food and water (even though, like I said, it eats and drinks regularly from what is kept in their housing, I just want to be extra cautious!)..so I will see if this shows any improvements. I love all my little duckys and want them to all live happy, healthy lives, so thank you for your input so far and if there is any other suggestions/advice/help I will surely take them!

 

[vlapinta]

Try adding a niacin tablet to their water, or sprinkle brewers yeast on their food. Ducklings definately need niacin. Unmedicated chick feed has no niacin.

Vicki