What's wrong with this duckling?

[Greenacres1]

I have a 12 day old pekin. Last night he was completely fine...running around his house, eating, drinking, etc.. At about 4am I heard him chirping in panic so I went to find out what was wrong. He can't walk, it's almost like he can't get his legs underneath him. If he tries to move he's just flailing around chirping and like thrusting his body around falling onto his back, side, every direction. He sometimes can hold up his head, but it seems like he prefers not to. His head is laying on the ground in front of him when he is resting. He is on flock raiser for feed. Thanks

 

[flewdacoop]

let me see if i can find out some info but i will be checking back

 

[Greenacres1]

Thanks

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

He sounds to be having either a neurological issue or could just be diet. Try adding. Iain to his feed and see of that corrects his problems. It won't be over night fix, but should show improvements. You can get niacin (not the flush kind) at CVS, Walmart, Walgreens. Also you can add Nutri drench poultry liquid vitemins to the water to help give a boost.

 

[Greenacres1]

Thanks. Is the niacin liquid or a powder and do you know how much I should give him?

 

[kristen2678]

It comes in just about any poultry vitamin mix as well. You add it to their water. If you buy niacin at the store it comes in capsules that you break open and shake onto their food. I can't find the link at the moment but Metzer had some dosing instructions on their site as well as Holderreads I believe.

 

[flewdacoop]

i get mine from feed store or tractor supply and add to their water everytime i refill it works great and gives them the nutrition they may be lacking in their day to day journey

 

[Greenacres1]

Ok thanks. I'll try that. Now that he's settled a bit from complete panic I can see him getting his feet under him and trying to stand but he can't push up to stand so that's when the flailing starts.

 

[Amiga]

Storey's Guide recommends 100 to 150 mg of niacin per gallon of water for ten weeks.

Hope that fixes the baby up!

 

[Greenacres1]

Well, we are slightly stronger today..very slightly. I ended up having to make a syringe of water food and a little niacin to try and get something in him. At first he freaked out, but then he started to go toward the syringe. I just put a little in his mouth and let him swallow it on his own. Wasn't going potty yesterday and I tried wiping his bum to help stimulate it. He made it through the night...still the head holding up, standing issues but if I hold his head up to the water and food he will now eat and drink on his own...and we finally had a potty don't know if he's going to make it or not, but at least this morning there is progress