trembling legs?

[TracyLovesDucks]

Hi Lauryn, can you also give an update if you are still active on BYC? Were you able to treat the shaky legs successfully with exercise or something else? Thanks!

 

[Waheed Khan 734]

Niacin is the best for trembling legs, mix it in the water for ducklings.


Regards,
Waheed Khan

 

[Fancychooklady]

Hi Froggie, I was wondering if you could give in update on your duck's shaky legs? I know it has been a few years, but do you remember what ended up happening? My runner's legs are very shaky and I've been adding niacin to their water (doesn't seem to be helping after 2 or 3 days), now I'm going to switch to brewers yeast and give that a shot for a while. (Although the brewers yeast seems to have a lower dose of niacin in it than the niacin capsules, but that's what everyone is saying works so I figure it's worth a shot).


I've done some research and asked around on other threads, but I still don't understand if this shakiness is truly caused by a niacin deficiency (where people talk of potential for deformation and lameness ) or if ducklings just go through a shaky phase that is normal and they eventually grow out of it (and everything ends up being fine )...

Lack of magnesium causes trembling.

 

[Amiga]

Most of the leg troubles I have read about here are resolved within a few days by adding niacin or brewer's yeast.

Do you have a poultry vitamin mix? That has a number of nutrients in it. I would give it once a week, in addition to niacin or brewer's yeast.

 

[TracyLovesDucks]

Hi Amiga, I have been supplementing their water a couple times a week with a low dose of Durvet Vitamins and Electrolytes (1/4 tsp to 3 gallons of water) http://www.rakuten.com/prod/durvet-...C&adid=18180&gclid=CMnjjsXNv70CFVFp7AodxmcAbg.

I have now been adding niacin in powder form from capsules a couple times a week (I'd say I've given about 300 mg in 2 gallons of water so far). It is the regular kind, it is not "no flush" nor "slow release."

Today I just started adding brewers yeast to their food (about I tablespoon of brewers yeast to 4 or 5 cups of food).

They are on NatureWise chick starter grower (18%). I should just try harder to find the appropriately formulated food for growing ducklings. Any recommendations on brand or if I can order online? (I'm in the U.S.)

P.S. the little guy is just so big for his legs! I was watching them drink this morning, and when his leg got super trembly, I lightly held on to it with my fingers and it stopped... so all he needs is a little extra strength/support! I want to make sure he can build that up himself. Luckily he is still running around with his siblings, but sometimes just gives up and plops down for a long sit.

Some of the others' legs shake slightly, but nothing compared to his legs.

 

[TracyLovesDucks]

I just found your notes in this thread (https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/827281/duckling-shaking-legs) and the khaki Campbell in that video shows what my runner is doing... although the Campbell's shakiness is more frequent than my runner's... another difference is that my runner's bottom starts to sag down and curl under when the trembling gets really bad and then he sits).
I see that it took 10-14 days for the OP in that thread to see improvement in her Campbell. I have been on the niacin regimen for only three days. Should I just give it more time and keep my fingers crossed? I guess I was expecting immediate results, but maybe it takes more time and patience? I just feel so bad and worried for the little guy, so patience is challenging.

 

[Amiga]

I seem to recall three days being fairly early for significant difference. A week or more may be more common. I would also get him into a warm bath - no soap - so he can float a little and work his legs. Just watch closely, they must be supervised, and make sure they dry off in a warm enough place afterward. It won't take more than five to ten minutes, I would think.

 

[Fancychooklady]

If you don't see results with the niacin, try adding magnesium oxide to the feed ration. If you google magnesium deficiency in ducks there are a few studies on the condition. On our farm if we see ' the shakes ' or trembling in any of our animals we add magnesium oxide to the feed. If your ducks have access to pasture that has been fertilized , chances are the magnesium has been ' tied up '. Just my 2 cents.

 

[TracyLovesDucks]

Thanks for all of the help. I will stick with the niacin for a bit longer and hope that does the trick. And I'll give this guy a nice warm bath to swim in.
If I get no results from niacin, I will investigate magnesium more. But after a little research, messing with their magnesium intake seems a bit risky since it is a salt. Here's what I found:

I came across a research study that found even a bit too much magnesium can be harmful for ducks: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3352094

And I also found one source that explains the symptoms of magnesium deficiency in poultry: http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/pou...mineral_deficiencies_in_poultry.html#v3347879

So I'll give the niacin a little more time, and continue doing research on magnesium. Thanks again.

 

[Fancychooklady]

Thanks for all of the help. I will stick with the niacin for a bit longer and hope that does the trick. And I'll give this guy a nice warm bath to swim in. 
If I get no results from niacin, I will investigate magnesium more. But after a little research, messing with their magnesium intake seems a bit risky since it is a salt. Here's what I found:

I came across a research study that found even a bit too much magnesium can be harmful for ducks: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3352094

And I also found one source that explains the symptoms of magnesium deficiency in poultry: http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/pou...mineral_deficiencies_in_poultry.html#v3347879

So I'll give the niacin a little more time, and continue doing research on magnesium. Thanks again.

There is a vast difference between magnesium sulphate ( Epsom salts ) and magnesium. As the second study states ' chicks that are on a diet devoid of magnesium only live a few days '. If you are feeding commercial feed, then you are placing your faith in what is printed on the bag. It ain't necessarily so !
As I said , if the niacin doesn't correct the problem , try sprinkling magnesium oxide on the feed or on the paddock .