Thank for allowing me to join BYC!

[Sonnett10]

I live in NY, I have had chickens for a year now. I acquired some older ducks in December with a flock of chickens (they co-inhabited together in a place they weren't really cared for well so I took them all) . All together I have 19 chickens (10 Browns, 1 Buff, and 8 Rhode Island Reds) and 6 "older" ducks and 6 ducklings (8 Pekin and that are about 6-7 weeks old. 2 of the ducklings are having problems with their feet not spreading and are walking on their hocks. It first started as splayed legs which I knew nothing about and I fixed that I thought but now their feet are just crumpled underneath them and they waddle on their hocks. It's so sad and I wish I knew what to do I feel like I'm failing them, they depend on me to take care of them and can't walk on their feet at around 6 weeks old like the other 4 have been for a while now. I have attached pictures. It's hard to find a vet to see ducks. I've attached pictures of the 2 ducks one foot they're both the same though. They're starting to get sores on their hocks, I hope someone can help with a solution, I just want them to have a better quality of life and if that's not possible figure something else out for them. Thank you for your time.

 

[drumstick diva]

I'm not a duck expert but they need niacin in their diet or they have leg problems. I believe there is niacin in wheat germ oil/ powder. Please ask on the duck forum - where people should know all about this.

 

[HKG]

@Isaac 0 @Miss Lydia

 

[SolarDuck]

What do you feed the ducks?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Niacin deficiency can def cause feet and leg problems. Since this is so serious I'd go to TSC and get some liquid b complex for them 1 ml per duck a day. the others need it too. But the ones having the issue really need it. You can also make a shoe using plastic like a cheap butter container etc and cut to the shape of their feet wrap well in tape so there aren't any sharp edges. Lay their feet out flat on this then wrap with vet wrap or some other kind of tape that won't harm their skin. Give them time daily to swim so they can exercise their legs it's really good for keeping their muscles from getting weak, keep them on soft bedding while your treating them. Niacin deficiency responds real well to the B complex liquid. The 2 that are serious you should either give by mouth or over something really tasty like mealworms, but you need to make sure they get the full dose. the others you can give the liquid over a tasty treat too or get Nutritional yeast and sprinkle over their feed at 1 Tab per cup of feed.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/niacin-deficiency-in-waterfowl.136755
They may need to stay on the B complex for several weeks Before you notice improvement since they aren't in good shape. Pekin are notorious for this so don't beat yourself up about it. They were bred to grow fast and gain weight for slaughter at a young age which makes for leg problems.
Bless you for taking them in. They may never fully recover its hard to say but hopefully you'll be able to get them walking upright.

 

[Isaac 0]

I can see in the pictures, that instead of the leg lying flat on the ground it is laying sideways. A whole picture containing the whole leg would help confirm this, but I believe the duck has developed perosis (slipped tendon) in the leg. Perosis will often occur in the latter stages of niacin deficiency.
In the picture below notice how the legs is twisted ( similar to yours).

Once the leg has reached this stage, it is unlikely any nutritional therapy will help correct this; a few surgeries can be performed by a vet, but there is no guarantee of a good outcome. This is very uncomfortable for the bird, and as they age they can develop hock sores, and contract other conditions such as wet feather, or sticky eye-related with lack of hygiene. If she does not show improvement with treatment the kindest thing may be to euthanize the bird.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Definitely try treatment before giving up.

 

[Sonnett10]

What do you feed the duck

What do you feed the ducks?

Purina duck feed.

 

[Sonnett10]

I can see in the pictures, that instead of the leg lying flat on the ground it is laying sideways. A whole picture containing the whole leg would help confirm this, but I believe the duck has developed perosis (slipped tendon) in the leg. Perosis will often occur in the latter stages of niacin deficiency.
In the picture below notice how the legs is twisted ( similar to yours).
View attachment 2639460 Once the leg has reached this stage, it is unlikely any nutritional therapy will help correct this; a few surgeries can be performed by a vet, but there is no guarantee of a good outcome. This is very uncomfortable for the bird, and as they age they can develop hock sores, and contract other conditions such as wet feather, or sticky eye-related with lack of hygiene. If she does not show improvement with treatment the kindest thing may be to euthanize the bird.

Thank you. That's exactly how their legs look. They're going to the vet tomorrow only the vet that will see them is super expensive just for an emergency visit (a day later). I feel so bad for them. They're so loving and kind and sit on my lap and nibble on my fingers when I stop petting them. I got them from TSC when I got them (Jane and Precious are their names) Precious had splayed legs I thought I fixed it but I guess not because she's still having a problem keeping her legs together. Jane was better off than Precious she at least can get around but has developed a sore on her one hock that I have wrapped as you said would happen. I don't think I can afford surgeries especially if just for an emergency visit it will be 400$ plus whatever they have to do to help them. I have given them this feed since I got them so I'm not sure why it wasn't enough. The other 4 I got at the same time are all walking fine, I got 3 Pekin and 3 brown ones that I'm not sure what kind they are (TSC didn't know either, they don't really care for their ducks or chicks well at all and I actually had to turn them in to the local ASPCA) when I got the ducklings I thought that the brown ones were going to die but they ended up pushing these 2 around so I now have them separated from the rest in their own brooder. Previous just sits at the end where the food and water is located and uses her beak a lot to move or brace herself even in the water. I thought she was trying to drown herself the other day but she was trying to turn herself with her break on the bottom of the tub. Jane can move around better but with her frequent movement she has developed a sore on her hock, that I didn't notice until yesterday when it started bleeding in the tub during swim time (twice a day while I change their brooder). I've wrapped it with gauze and sports wrap. I'm not sure I can afford to have surgeries especially if it may not even work. I don't want them to suffer anymore than they already have either. Thank you for your help and your time, that's definitely how their legs look I just don't understand how niacin deficiency can still occur if I was giving them duck feed. I know some ducks are more sensitive to ND than others but I thought I was doing everything right .

 

[drumstick diva]

Hoping for the best possible outcomes.