Wobbly duckling

[Katie Rossi]

Hi Everyone,
One of my ducklings seems to have weak legs. They look normal. She's lighter than her sibling and her feet aren't as big as her sister's. She will walk around, with her sister, but will lay down, like it's too much. I'm been giving electrolyte and probiotic combo in their water since the beginning. They are 10 days old. Is there anything I am missing? Thanks in advance

 

[HollowOfWisps]

If you search around online you can find the manufacturer label, but Save-A-Chick Electrolytes are only supposed to be used for 1-5 days. Back to the wobbly legs it sounds like your duckling needs B3. Some people use brewers yeast or nutritional yeast, but I prefer to use poultry cell or a water soluble B complex which I would especially recommend since your duckling is already showing signs of a deficiency.

Edit: I just wanted to add that the reason for not using electrolytes long term is because of the high salt content. High doses of salt in ducks can actually cause
reduced cardiac output, bradycardia and arterial hypotension.
Source-
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2391400/

 

[Katie Rossi]

If you search around online you can find the manufacturer label, but Save-A-Chick Electrolytes are only supposed to be used for 1-5 days. Back to the wobbly legs it sounds like your duckling needs B3. Some people use brewers yeast or nutritional yeast, but I prefer to use poultry cell or a water soluble B complex which I would especially recommend since your duckling is already showing signs of a deficiency.

Edit: I just wanted to add that the reason for not using electrolytes long term is because of the high salt content. High doses of salt in ducks can actually cause
reduced cardiac output, bradycardia and arterial hypotension.
Source-
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2391400/

Ohhhhh I had no idea about the length of time... What do you use?

 

[KaleIAm]

Here is an informative thread on niacin deficiency in ducks. Reluctance to walk can be a symptom. Depending on what you are feeding them they may not be getting enough in their food. And sometimes one duckling needs more than the other. Larger breeds, like pekins, need more than smaller breeds. I can't say for sure that this is what is going on - but it seems like a good idea to look into it.

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