What to do with the runt, if vitamin deficient

[tamstertwo]

Hey everyone,

As I mentioned in intro, I have a mama and her 6 ducklings that became squatters in the yard. I'm trying not to interfere, just assisting with food, water and shelter while mama does the rest.

Today makes them 2 weeks old. All big and doing great except for one, it's only 2/3 the size of the others, looks bow-legged and sits frequently. Will usually eat last. But still tries to keep up during their nature walks, but really struggled today.

Being we're just trying to get them through to the point they can fly off with mom one day, I've never touched them or come too close. Not sure what to do at this point. I'm going to try and up the amount of niacin and brewers yeast in the food so it gets more. If anyone has ideas what I can add safely maybe to make it more palatable I would appreciate it! I already add org brown rice, oatmeal and mashed peas to the food. Any proteins foods high in B naturally I can add? They don't like boiled eggs--haven't tried scrambled yet.

I'm torn between separating for a while (maybe mama won't take it back? IDK if she would even let me near it) or let nature take it's course : (

Thanks

 

[Isaac 0]

The duckling needs high strength B complex, follow the treatment in this thread. I would stop all the added foods to their feed, no rice, and oatmeal anymore.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/niacin-deficiency-in-waterfowl.1367557/

 

[tamstertwo]

OK, thanks, but do you have any idea how much and when I should add it to their food? I will give them apprx 14oz Purina flock starter only 3x a day (they eat out of one big serving dish)

 

[Isaac 0]

OK, thanks, but do you have any idea how much and when I should add it to their food? I will give them apprx 14oz Purina flock starter only 3x a day (they eat out of one big serving dish)

Read the thread I provided.

 

[tamstertwo]

Ok, little confused by it but I'll reread until it clicks. Thanks again for the reply.

 

[Isaac 0]

Treatment-

"Treatment would include giving the bird a form of niacin, the supplement that we have found to work the best is "Durvet High-Level Vitamin B
Complex" Available online, or at most feed stores like Tractor Supply, the price ranges from ten to sixteen dollars for a 250ml bottle.

The dosage will vary accordingly to age, currently, we go, 1/4ml for ducklings that are between one to seven days old, 1/2ml for ducklings that are one week to two weeks, anything above that will be 1ml, this is once a day, although if you have a hard time getting the complex into the duckling you can split the dosage in half and give some in the morning and evening. The effects of giving too much vitamin B are somewhat limited, it does seem, however, that you would need to give a large amount to the duck for it to have a damaging effect.

We recommend for novice duck keepers to give them the complex over treats, to reduce the risk of aspiration if given orally with a syringe. Duck seems to enjoy mealworms, peas, lettuce, tomatoes the most, it can also be mixed into a wet soupy feed. The reason we recommend not giving it in water is most of the time ducks spill around half of the water, so it makes it hard to calculate the dosage, and birds that are in poor condition may not be able to get around to drink often. If your bird is not able to get around or is so debilitated, you may need to administer orally with a syringe/eyedropper, the easiest and safest way I have found is to drop the B complex onto the side of their bill, the sensation of the water droplets often will make them drink the liquid, another technique is to dip their bill for a short second in some of the liquid. If this doesn't work you may need to stick the syringe in their mouth, I will provide an article on the bottom on how to do that correctly.

I can not stress enough how important it is to be very careful when giving birds fluids orally, they can easily die of aspiration, especially ducklings that are on the younger side. Always be gentle with the bird, and give them plenty of short breaks during the administration so they can get everything down."

 

[tamstertwo]

I went back to the OP, thanks. Little one doesn't seem to be eating much but I'll do my best

 

[Miss Lydia]

If you can get the liquid B complex just dribble it along the bill, the duckling will hopefully get some inside. You can also put a tiny drop right under the tongue 1 drop at a time making sure she swallows in between. 1/2ml to start just never shoot anything liquid down the throat.

 

[tamstertwo]

thanks, I will have to just increase the Brewers yeast and niacin for now. ....can't get that liquid at any store within 25 miles of me. I don't think the mama would let me even get within a foot of her ducklings anyway.
They don't like the taste of either, but I guess if they are hungry enough they will.

 

[Miss Lydia]

If you want this to survive you may have to take it from mama.