Spraddle legged duck

[Jammi Walker]

I have a 6-7 week old pekin duckling with badly bowed legs, I went and got niacin today but I'm worried that's not enough. He has always been a little bow legged but I didn't notice till I added more ducklings to the flock this week. He started showing signs of weekness in his right leg yesterday.

 

[Pyxis]

That definitely sounds like niacin deficiency. Can you post a picture of the kind of niacin you bought for him?

 

[Jammi Walker]

I got Swanson brand niacin 100mg

 

[Little duck farm]

My ducking also had spraddle legs I just wrapped the about half inch apart with Squash tape for 72 hours I took tap off at night, made a world of difference cant even tell she had it now

 

[Miss Lydia]

Def in Pekins niacin def is usually the cause and in other breeds too but Pekins being they grow so fast need to be supplemented with niacin soon after hatch.

That is perfect niacin you may not be able to fix the bowed legs since the ducks age but niacin can sure help strengthens them. Plus pool time we call water therapy. Crush the whole tab and put over feed and use it for all your ducklings too. So actually to make sure they are all getting proper amount I'd get Nutritional yeast or B Complex liquid NY is 1 Tab per cup of feed and liquid B complex depending on where you get it TSC has it in cattle dept says injectable but can be given orally to our birds it will be 1 ML daily per duck so maybe give liquid B complex to the pekins showing leg problems and Nutritional yeast or you niacin tab to the others. Just keep in mind they need around 125-150 mgs of niacin daily. You can also by Liquid B complex at places like Walmart that has pharmacy dept with vitamins. This dose would be 1 teaspoon daily can be given over dried meal worms shredded lettuce something the ducks really likes so your sure he/she is getting full dose. Spraddle legs and niacin def are 2 different things.

 

[Jammi Walker]

Thanks so much for all the the info!

 

[Miss Lydia]

I hope it all made sense typed before first cup of coffee.
If you have questions please feel free to ask.

 

[Jammi Walker]

Thanks and I do have one more question about the water therepy. My ducks hate water! I put them in the kiddie pool and they instantly jump out and won't go near it! Also I'll try and get a pic on here of the ducks legs eventually this morning.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Have you made a easy way for them to go in an out.Very important especially if your already seeing leg issues. What kind of treat are they in love with? I can toss dried meal worms into the pool or the cement mixing tub and boy they dive in. Maybe start with something smaller than the pool and gradually work up to the pool. Look forward to seeing these babies.

 

[Jammi Walker]

Yes they have a ramp that leads into and out of the pool. We started them in a "Barbie" pool and they just drink the water out of it and run through it instead of. Setting and swimming in it so it became there drinking bowl