***URGENT*** Bowed Legged Duckling

[Madi131]

Our little pekin duckling was outside today and we noticed he's not walking as good as the other one. He's got bowed legs and Pigeon feet. I think it's a niacin deficiency. Has anyone else had this problem? Any ideas how to fix it? He's only about 4-5 weeks old. I'm not going to cull him. He doesn't act like it hurts him, he's got a warm bath running right now. Still growing and eating. This just showed up today. We've ordered some niacinamide medicine to dilute in water for them both so hopefully they're good. They're eating all flock. That's what everyone has always eaten. Even our previous ducklings and chicks.

 

[CoriM]

Get vitamin B complex right away and start dosing their water or special treats/food for this duckling. I had this happen to one of my Pekin ducklings last summer, and it was very distressing. She just grew so fast, her body needed more. I can get this at my local feed store, or you can order it online. It works miracles! My duckling developed splay leg and just started sitting more. We used vet tape and made little hobbles that we kept on her for a couple weeks. She's perfect now! Good luck!

 

[CoriM]

PS - my understanding is that you can't overdose with this, so don't worry about adding it to food or water that all your baby ducks get. No harm!

 

[Spiase20]

Hi,

We had a similar issue with our Indian Runner when she was a duckling. Added Naicin powder to her diet, and vitamin/electrolytes to her water and it was like she had not issue at all!

 

[Madi131]

Okay, Ive ordered the niacin tablets, they said on another website I could just crush one into a gallon of water. Is that what the niacin powder was like? Or should I do the b vitamins instead?

 

[Knighstar679]

Okay, Ive ordered the niacin tablets, they said on another website I could just crush one into a gallon of water. Is that what the niacin powder was like? Or should I do the b vitamins instead?

I personally like the liquid b complex a little better than the stuff to crush because i can put it easily on something like a treat and make sure a single duckling with issues is getting the bit easy for sure. Some times they just play to much in their water to get enough and one duckling will eat the food first and eat the stuff on the top. Just my preference. I get the stuff made for cattle from tractor supply because it is a stronger dose so i can use less than the stuff i might buy at the pharmacy.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Get vitamin B complex right away and start dosing their water or special treats/food for this duckling. I had this happen to one of my Pekin ducklings last summer, and it was very distressing. She just grew so fast, her body needed more. I can get this at my local feed store, or you can order it online. It works miracles! My duckling developed splay leg and just started sitting more. We used vet tape and made little hobbles that we kept on her for a couple weeks. She's perfect now! Good luck!

 

[Isaac 0]

How is your duckling doing? I like the Liquid Cattle Vitamin B better since you can get a concentrated dose into the duckling fast and easily, but the pill form will work too. How long has your duckling had noticeable bowed legs? What are you using as bedding? Could you post a picture? If he has had it for quite some time you may need to use a bandage to straighten his legs back into place.

https://metzerfarms.blogspot.com/2011/03/are-my-ducklings-leg-problems-due-to.html#:~:text=

 

[Miss Lydia]

Liquid B complex Durvet brand is more concentrated so you only need 1 ml over a treat where human brand you will need to use 3 ml and you want to keep using this till they are up and going and strong on their legs. Supplement niacin for at least first 10 weeks and if one has special needs then the liquid B complex for as ever long as it takes.

 

[DuckyDonna]

I personally like the liquid b complex a little better than the stuff to crush because i can put it easily on something like a treat and make sure a single duckling with issues is getting the bit easy for sure. Some times they just play to much in their water to get enough and one duckling will eat the food first and eat the stuff on the top. Just my preference. I get the stuff made for cattle from tractor supply because it is a stronger dose so i can use less than the stuff i might buy at the pharmacy.

This is what you need and can be easily found at Tractor Supply. 1 ml over something that is a treat so he gets all of it. I wouldn't put it in the water because in my opinion, it gets too diluted and he needs to get all of it.