Something wrong with duckling help asap!!!!

[chickenpal147]

Today I went out for a little while and when I came home my grandpa said that one of my ducklings was upside down on his back trying to get up on its feet. So I went and took both of my ducklings out of their cage to see what was wrong with it, but when I took both of them out only one of them moved around and followed me, and the other just sat on the ground. So I put the other one back and took the injured one to another room. It started walking around and following me. He was walking fine but when he stood still and tried to clean his belly he was very unbalanced. But that is only when he is standing still, he occasionally stumbles when he walks. Can anybody tell me what is wrong with him and how I can help him. He looks like he is really healthy and is acting like a little duckling should. But I fear that there is something wrong with my little guy. Please help asap

 

[Ellaluvsbirds]

How old are the ducklings?

 

[chickenpal147]

A little over a week. Both ducklings are now sitting on my legs with their heads tucked up under their wing also the one that I think is hurt is peeping a lot not loudly but very soft like.

 

[Amiga]

This may be an injury or it may be niacin deficiency. What are they eating?

Also, who was around them while you were out?

 

[chickenpal147]

Non medicated chick starter grower feed. My grandpa was home while I was out

 

[chickenpal147]

Something that I might add is that when I had them out earlier to play they some how got up on to their crate and he fell off. The crate is about 2ft give or take a few and is on the carpet. I didn't see him fall so I don't know if he landed on his back or his feet. I know he fell because I went to go fill their water and all of a sudden I heard a thump turned around and he was standing on the ground. I don't know if that would have any thing to do with that.

 

[Amiga]

It could - and weird things happen. I am asking, not to accuse, but to try to figure out how best to help.

Chick starter sometimes does not meet the niacin needs of certain ducklings. A tablespoon of brewer's yeast on their food once a day will help. If you can get capsules of plain niacin (I have read that no-flush and timed release don't help much), 150 mg of niacin in a gallon of drinking water for 8 weeks usually fixes them up, if it is niacin deficiency.

The advantage of brewer's yeast - not baking yeast - is that it contains other vitamins as well.

 

[chickenpal147]

where can I find Niacin or brewers yeast?

 

[Amiga]

I found niacin at the local drugstore. It is amazing where you can find - or cannot find - it.

A big box store may have both - I mean a Walmart or Sam's Club, you can check at a GNC if you have those around. Health Food stores usually carry both.

 

[chickenpal147]

My little guy is perfectly fine I woke up this morning and he was running around in his cage then I let them out to play and he was running around the living room like nothing happened and like nothing was wrong.