What could be wrong with my duck?

[Amiga]

For ducklings without adult feathers, I read in Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks that they can be more easily bitten by insects that carry diseases. Just wanted to pass that on in the worst case, you may need to educate a vet.

 

[willowbirdks]

Ok, thanks for the tip! I did not know that was a possible issue, so we will definitely keep an eye on things.

After observing her more closely today, it really looks like a niacin issue... My husband was able to find some that will work at Rite Aid (non flushable, will dissolve in water), so we're going to start there. Hopefully we'll see her looking better in a few days. Appreciate all the tips and ideas.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hopefully you'll see improvement pretty fast. and awesome you were able to find plain niacin, seems it's getting harder and harder.

 

[TracyLovesDucks]

Could it be digestive issues? It seems to me when a duck's posture is effected, it has to do with stomach/intestinal upset. Here's an example of how a duck's posture changed with intestinal blockage http://kingofdoodles.blogspot.com/2011/06/signs-of-intestinal-blockage-in-pet.html

Also, the runny poo could be a sign of digestive problems. Something to watch out for is if she stops eating, which would be another sign of intestinal problems.

If you also believe it's digestive, I would suggest mixing in a little coconut oil with a small portion of her feed (1 teaspoon coconut oil to 3 tablespoons feed)... this could help lubricate her tract and get things moving properly. Also, 1 tablespoon per 1 gallon of water to acidify her tract and keep things working normally. Finally, you could consider probiotics (I haven't used any yet on my ducks, so I don't have specific recommendations as to what product, etc.). Probiotics keep the guts moving too.

 

[Starfire669]

Thank you. I really appreciate your patient help.

Open to any other feedback about the walking and tail, as well as feed, but it certainly seems like it wouldn't hurt to add brewers yeast... And we have a brewing store nearby, so we can pick some up tomorrow.

One of my ducks was injured and she was walking with a limp and her tail pointed down. She was force mated by a larger drake that is no longer with us. Then she was stepped on by a flock mate and now she can't use her leg at all. I believe she has a hip injury from the larger ducks being on her back. She was using her wing to scoot around in place of the leg. I have her separated from everyone except a pair of very young goslings.

Is there any chance that your duckling could have been stepped on by flock mates, or maybe even stepped in a hole and injured itself? the pointed tail sounds a lot like what my Ebony girl is doing.

 

[willowbirdks]

Could it be digestive issues? It seems to me when a duck's posture is effected, it has to do with stomach/intestinal upset. Here's an example of how a duck's posture changed with intestinal blockage http://kingofdoodles.blogspot.com/2011/06/signs-of-intestinal-blockage-in-pet.html

Also, the runny poo could be a sign of digestive problems. Something to watch out for is if she stops eating, which would be another sign of intestinal problems.

If you also believe it's digestive, I would suggest mixing in a little coconut oil with a small portion of her feed (1 teaspoon coconut oil to 3 tablespoons feed)... this could help lubricate her tract and get things moving properly. Also, 1 tablespoon per 1 gallon of water to acidify her tract and keep things working normally. Finally, you could consider probiotics (I haven't used any yet on my ducks, so I don't have specific recommendations as to what product, etc.). Probiotics keep the guts moving too.

Thank you for sharing this. I have it bookmarked in case the niacin doesn't resolve anything. We started seeing a few more indicators today that it may just be a niacin deficiency, like wobbling or shaky legs. I also read that niacin deficiency can lead to stunted growth, and she is smaller than her flock mates. Originally I had been trying to make sure she was getting to the feeder, but the more I read and observe the more that it seems likely this is the culprit.

I really appreciate all the ideas and information. This note about posture is especially helpful. I would not say that's exactly how she is behaving, hunching over so much, I think it might be related to a lack of balance. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the niacin does the trick, but I will definitely let you all know.

 

[willowbirdks]

One of my ducks was injured and she was walking with a limp and her tail pointed down. She was force mated by a larger drake that is no longer with us. Then she was stepped on by a flock mate and now she can't use her leg at all. I believe she has a hip injury from the larger ducks being on her back. She was using her wing to scoot around in place of the leg. I have her separated from everyone except a pair of very young goslings.

Is there any chance that your duckling could have been stepped on by flock mates, or maybe even stepped in a hole and injured itself? the pointed tail sounds a lot like what my Ebony girl is doing.

I saw your post about Ebony, and I really hope that she recovers. Sounded like it has been a tough weekend in your flock, I'm sorry.

There is no chance she stepped in a hole, and no one is old enough to try force mating. They do climb all over each other at times, and she is small... Possibility that she could have been injured that way. The tail pointing down thing seems like it might be balance related, but I'm not sure. We did inspect her really closely last night, worked both of her legs, checked all over her belly and backside, and no sign of anything... So if it's an injury, it would be internal. :-/ I will certainly keep an eye on it.

 

[willowbirdks]

Hopefully you'll see improvement pretty fast. and awesome you were able to find plain niacin, seems it's getting harder and harder.

We couldn't find brewer's yeast anywhere today, which was surprising to us! The plain niacin was in tablet form at Rite Aid, and not terribly expensive. No luck at any other store locally, but hubby just decided to stop in and (hurray!) he found it.

She was drinking a good amount of water this afternoon when they had their supervised "range" time, so here's hoping we see a quick improvement. Otherwise we'll have to go on to some of these other options, which are much more stressful. Thanks again for your help.

 

[Starfire669]

I saw your post about Ebony, and I really hope that she recovers. Sounded like it has been a tough weekend in your flock, I'm sorry.

There is no chance she stepped in a hole, and no one is old enough to try force mating. They do climb all over each other at times, and she is small... Possibility that she could have been injured that way. The tail pointing down thing seems like it might be balance related, but I'm not sure. We did inspect her really closely last night, worked both of her legs, checked all over her belly and backside, and no sign of anything... So if it's an injury, it would be internal. :-/ I will certainly keep an eye on it.

Ebony did try to walk this evening, but she is limping. Still it's better than using her wing in place of her foot. I have been soaking her in warm water baths, sometimes with Epsom salt sometimes without and giving her swim therapy. As long as I can keep her separated from her flock mates she should make a full recovery.

We couldn't find brewer's yeast anywhere today, which was surprising to us! The plain niacin was in tablet form at Rite Aid, and not terribly expensive. No luck at any other store locally, but hubby just decided to stop in and (hurray!) he found it.

She was drinking a good amount of water this afternoon when they had their supervised "range" time, so here's hoping we see a quick improvement. Otherwise we'll have to go on to some of these other options, which are much more stressful. Thanks again for your help.

I found my brewery's yeast at GNC. They had pill form and powder form available in store.

 

[Miss Lydia]

We couldn't find brewer's yeast anywhere today, which was surprising to us! The plain niacin was in tablet form at Rite Aid, and not terribly expensive. No luck at any other store locally, but hubby just decided to stop in and (hurray!) he found it.

She was drinking a good amount of water this afternoon when they had their supervised "range" time, so here's hoping we see a quick improvement. Otherwise we'll have to go on to some of these other options, which are much more stressful. Thanks again for your help.