I have two ducklings who were supposed to be going in with my broody goose. That didn't happen, but they did break my broody. Now, I have them brooding next to my chicks that came with them. There is a khaki campbell who has a small crest and a fully crested fawn and white runner.
Last night, I came in and the khaki campbell (Bellatrix) was on her back, calmly trying to get up. I freaked out and so did the runner, but I noticed she seemed fine.. My first suspect was niacin deficiency. BUT, I see no sign of seizures or anything, and to be sure, I added a bit more niacin to their food (which I have been supplementing before this). Then earlier today, I came in and she was on her back again! And a third time a few minutes ago. Each time, she's just calmly paddling to try and get up, holding her head up, completely aware of everything that's happening. When I pick her up, she has her normal mini-freakout (unlike the runner who is usually trying to jump up the sides of the brooder at this point, screaming bloody murder) and then calms.. Talks to me.. Nibbles on my nostrils.. The usual. I looked this up last night on BYC and couldn't find anything really.. It's worrying me now!
Bella seems like a completely normal week old duckling besides her turtle problem (she reminds me of a turtle when this happens). For a bit, she was smaller than her runner friend, Narcissa, but now her and Cissy are about the same size. They came from Ideal.. Like normal ducklings, they're pigs and enjoy messing up their brooder, which I try to keep as clean as possible. Cissy is a complete freak of nature who tries to scale plastic walls, and while Bella is usually overtaken by Cissy's antics, the second I grab her, she is my baby.
Does anyone have an idea? Is this simply that she's gotten knocked over somehow by a random Cissy-freakout and is so oddly shaped that she can't get back up? Or is this something to worry about?
PS, I was in the room for one of them, but didn't hear anything. I just looked over and Bella was on her back.
Here's a picture for inspiration, of them on their way outside to meet the geese.. Bella is at the front, a ham as usual, and Cissy is at the back.
Thanks guys!
Chelsea
Last night, I came in and the khaki campbell (Bellatrix) was on her back, calmly trying to get up. I freaked out and so did the runner, but I noticed she seemed fine.. My first suspect was niacin deficiency. BUT, I see no sign of seizures or anything, and to be sure, I added a bit more niacin to their food (which I have been supplementing before this). Then earlier today, I came in and she was on her back again! And a third time a few minutes ago. Each time, she's just calmly paddling to try and get up, holding her head up, completely aware of everything that's happening. When I pick her up, she has her normal mini-freakout (unlike the runner who is usually trying to jump up the sides of the brooder at this point, screaming bloody murder) and then calms.. Talks to me.. Nibbles on my nostrils.. The usual. I looked this up last night on BYC and couldn't find anything really.. It's worrying me now!
Bella seems like a completely normal week old duckling besides her turtle problem (she reminds me of a turtle when this happens). For a bit, she was smaller than her runner friend, Narcissa, but now her and Cissy are about the same size. They came from Ideal.. Like normal ducklings, they're pigs and enjoy messing up their brooder, which I try to keep as clean as possible. Cissy is a complete freak of nature who tries to scale plastic walls, and while Bella is usually overtaken by Cissy's antics, the second I grab her, she is my baby.
Does anyone have an idea? Is this simply that she's gotten knocked over somehow by a random Cissy-freakout and is so oddly shaped that she can't get back up? Or is this something to worry about?
PS, I was in the room for one of them, but didn't hear anything. I just looked over and Bella was on her back.
Here's a picture for inspiration, of them on their way outside to meet the geese.. Bella is at the front, a ham as usual, and Cissy is at the back.

Thanks guys!
Chelsea