Something is wrong with my duckling

[Soon2BChixMom]

I would cut out the spinach as it can prevent calcium from absorbing. Small amounts might be ok, but I would limit it.
Chick feed does contain niacin, but not enough for ducks. I know nothing about turkey crumbles though as far as niacin is concerned.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/the-ultimate-list-of-duck-treats-and-supplements.242460/

 

[casportpony]

Chick feed does contain niacin, but not enough for ducks. I know nothing about turkey crumbles though as far as niacin is concerned.

Turkey *starter* has *tons* of niacin, close to 70 ppm I think, but it's usually 25-30% protein, so something with 20% protein that is not starter might not have enough niacin for ducklings, though it probably has more than chick starter does.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Turkey starter has *tons* of niacin, close to 70 ppm I think.

Like I said, I don't know. But, as I was trying to find an answer I came across this bar ale turkey grower which listed the niacin content and it is only 24.7 mg. I know it is not the same brand, just pointing out that not all turkey feeds have enough niacin. If I were the op, I would contact the company just to be sure. I looked at the brand mentioned (kruse) and they have niacin in the ingredients, but not the amount (guaranteed analysis).
http://www.baraleinc.com/index.php/...127-non-gmo-22-turkey-gamebird-grower-crumble

 

[Emily_VVV]

Unfortunately, all the stores near me that sell any type of poultry feed are closed except walmart and they are VERY limited. Would it be okay to give him the chicken starter mash for tonight? or is it something he should never be fed (the lady we got him from never specified why... just told us no mash)? Also, if he can't have the mash, should i run to walmart and grab him so chick starter so he at least has more niacin than he's been getting?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Sorry no one got back with you last night. Only reason I can think of they would say not to feed mash is because it's so fine. Unless it's laying mash?

If your having trouble getting the lil one to eat try making it into a soup with warm water and just a tad of acv to keep it fresh.

 

[goslingluv]

His eye looks injured maybe he has a head injury?

 

[happy duck]

I would not feed him the mash(fine if you already did) cuz you said it was medicated right??? No medicated feed for ducks. BTW how is he doing today? Any new updates?

 

[Emily_VVV]

Ever since we got him, he had something a little funky with his eye. When we inspected it, it looked like he just got something stuck in it, like hay or... honestly it kind of looks like eggshell though I have no idea if that's possible or not. It used to agitate him, but since we took him home and he was swimming and bathing regularly, he stopped fussing with it.

The mash is NOT medicated, so we mixed some of it with his crumble just to introduce some niacin. We also ground up peanuts (i read that they are a very high source of niacin and safe for ducks if chopped fine or ground), and he's been eating mealworms. We just got back from the store with some peas. So far, his appetite hasn't changed. He gets excited over food and drinks a lot, but no more than normal really.

His tremors have lessened quite a bit and he's not cheeping constantly. He's also been trying to stand up every few seconds and while his legs can support his weight, he can't balance very well and when he DOES stand, he shoots straight up with his beak kinda pressed into his chest (i'll post pics shortly). He has stopped making that chewing motion with his beak and actually got a decent bit of sleep last night. His whole body isn't really shaking anymore either.

We let him out of his bucket to stretch his legs, so to speak, and inside the bucket, we lined it with towels so when he tries to stand up, and falls over, he won't land on anything hard.

I can't find Niacin supplements anywhere... I've been to all the feed stores near me and had to explain what it was at every store, and nobody carries it.

As far as head injuries go, I'm wondering if one of the other ducks knocked his head? He's taken a few little spills here and there, nothing bad, and he once decided to NOT use the wide stairs we created up to the pond and took a tumble. However, he was never dazed at all and I never saw him hit his head. The day this all started, my roommate went out to check on everyone, saw him swimming in circles nonstop and making that persistent quiet cheeping noise, and that's when she took him inside.

Should I be careful about how much Niacin I give him? My roommate literally just told me that Walmart carries a supplement but I don't know what dosage he needs.

 

[Emily_VVV]

 

[WVduckchick]

Oh my! He's soooo cute!!
I have no idea what to suggest though. It looks neurological to me.