Two poorly German pekin ducks

[MaryMay]

Hi,
I need some help! I have 9 German pekin ducks which hatched in May this year. They are my first ducks and also the first time I have had any poultry.

They have been absolutely fine till last week when I noticed one kept falling over and struggling to get back up. It also wasn’t keeping itself as clean as the others. I assumed it was a poorly foot and kept him seperate from the others for a few days, bathed and dried him to make sure he was warm. (It is winter where we are and cold and wet outside). He seemed a little better and so a few days later I put him back with the flock but made sure he was fed separately since my flock can trample each other at feeding time!. He then developed a foamy eye and I noticed he was still falling over. Now a second duck has exactly the same symptoms.

Any ideas what this could be?

Thanks

 

[Miss Lydia]

can you give us specifics like what they are fed, Ever noticed any problems with walking before now? Did or are you supplementing with niacin?
Where are they kept?

 

[nuthatched]

Hi there, what is the main food you feed them? Perhaps they are lack some vitamins? How are they housed?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Is a vet an option? if not then I would recommend getting some Liquid B Complex and start them all on it. That way we can rule out niacin deficiency. Which is pretty prevalent in large breed ducks especially Pekin. They will need 1 ml per duck which can be put over a tasty treat. It's one way of ruling out health issues. Starting there.
Hows are their appetites?
TSC carries Liquid B Complex it will say injectable but we give it orally.

 

[MaryMay]

Hi everyone,
Thanks for the quick responses. I feed the ducks a brand of duck/geese food called “Allen and page” and add in fresh fruit and veg when we have leftover. So far I have not given them any supplements.
They are house overnight in a pen in our stable where I put down fresh shavings each day. During the day they free range in our garden. The pond is still under construction so they have a paddling pool.
The weather has been awful lately so they all seem to be a little wetter and dirtier than usual and always keen to get back in side - but I think that is probably because they associate going inside with dinner time. But the poorly two ducks definitely dirtier. They also seem to be eating less (or at least less ferociously) then the rest of the ducks.

I can try some liquid B complex. Is it necessary to keep the poorly two seperate from the others in the interim? They really prefer to be all together.

Thanks

 

[Miss Lydia]

I wouldn't separate unless they are having a hard time staying up with the rest. which may tire them out too much. When they have leg issues rest, supplements, and water therapy to take the weight off the legs and to keep the muscles from getting weaker are the best things for them. I know they aren't considered ducklings any longer but sometimes niacin deficiency can show up overnight or slowly to where it's not noticeable until it's right in your face. Starting here and giving it a week or more might at least rule out niacin deficiency. Are you free feeding them ? I know Pekins can get over weight but for now you might want to keep feed down all the time at least during the day so these 2 can have as much nourishment as they can. So that might mean keeping these 2 separated during the day anyway. Most of the time we will say place the ducks struggling in a pen by themselves but where everyone can see each other that makes the ones having trouble rest.

 

[MaryMay]

Thank you all. I have managed to order some liquid B complex from Amazon for delivery today (I am in the UK).
I don’t normally free feed them as they are super greedy! But I might keep the more poorly two inside for a little longer this morning and give them access to plenty of food.
I will start with the vitamins tonight and let you all know how it goes in a weeks time. Hopefully they won’t get worse before then.

Thanks all

 

[Miss Lydia]

I hope not too. The only other thing would be antibiotics and a vet would be needed. So all we can do is eliminate and start with niacin deficiency. Good food and plenty of rest. Appreciate you keeping us updated.

 

[chicken and duck lover]

Mabey check with your local vet or feed store

 

[Miss Lydia]

B complex is 1 ml per duck you can give it over small amount of a yummy treat so they get the full dose.
How's it going? Did you order animal liquid B complex?