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Four week old duckling with shaky legs! need help please x

(26 posts)
  • Started 2 years ago by xxbellabugxx
  • Latest reply from pinkpoultry

  1. xxbellabugxx
    Member

    Hi all, i HATE having to keep asking questions and posting my problems about my ducks, and this problem completely caught me out of the blue did not see this coming, i must be full of bad luck!

    My seven ducklings hatched just four weeks ago, and i noticed one of them has shaky legs.
    he is walking okay, running around and swimming with the others. I don't see any runny nostrils or eyes

    the reason i'm freaking out is this time last year, when i bought my first two ducklings, one of them had shaky legs and it just kept on getting worse to the point where he couldn't walk and just fell over. we ended up taking him to the vet, and there was nothing they could do so the best thing to do was to put him down. I cant remember what it was, but it was something wrong with the brain and was un treatable. :(

    I'm praying that this will pass and will just go on its own.

    It started last week, i noticed when he was standing still i was a little shaky, and today it seemed worse.

    Does anyone have any experience with this? or any advice? i'm really dreading to have to put him down, i hoping i caught this early and its not what my other duck had and is treatable.

    Many thanks for helping if you can xoxoxoxoxox

    Posted 2 years ago #
  2. ah Zara, is this duckling related to the ones you brought last year, if so it could be an heredity thing, if you can see it getting worse and you are hopeing you have caught it early, I would just get him to the vets, sorry must be quite a worry for you, hopefully someone will advice you soon, but don't ever worry about asking for help and advice, thats what this forum is about
    Mo

    mo x
    Posted 2 years ago #
  3. campbell ridge
    Administrator

    Hi Zara, if you bought these ducklings from the same supplier it could be a neurological problem from the breeding.
    I would suggest some vitamin supplement, have a look online for poultry vitamins, i know vit B is used for a healthy nervous system, so perhaps he is lacking in something. Give him/her plenty of easy bathing water to strengthen his legs so you can be sure its not a leg weakness.
    Cider vinegar in water is another good tonic.

    Sarah L
    Posted 2 years ago #
  4. xxbellabugxx
    Member

    These ducklings were hatched from my duck, but id buy her from the same place as the duck that got put down so you could be right, un-fortunalty. I gave my last duck with this problem a vitamin supplement supplied by the vet, and it didn't work.
    -he has access to clam shell full of fresh water with a ramp to get into , and another small flat container with water as well

    i was doing some research before and i found this:
    Weak or Shaky Legs;
    When Ducks and Geese are young, they can also suffer from weak, or shaky legs. This is sometimes caused by a calcium deficiency. We have found that by adding some liquid calcium to the water, or food usually works. We usually buy ZOLCAL D for this purpose. Grated cuttlefish bone is also a good source of calcium. This can be sprinkled over the top of their daily feed.

    could it hurt to try this?
    if he gets worse ill take him to the vet on monday when i take my dog in for her vaccinations,

    thankyou for your advice, ill check out the vitamins and give that ago
    xxxx

    Posted 2 years ago #
  5. campbell ridge
    Administrator

    no it wont hurt, i think theres calcium in egg shells so crush those up and feed them too.

    Sarah L
    Posted 2 years ago #
  6. Hi Zara,
    Like Sarah I would try a vitamin/mineral supplement.
    The cuttlefish grated up sounds a good idea.
    Have been reading Poultry & Waterfowl problems book by Michael Roberts http://farmingfriends.com/shop/poultry-books/poultry-waterfowl-problems-by-michael-roberts/
    He says when there is a leg problem consider these things - which I am sure you have Zara but thought worth mentioning.
    Is the problem internal or external?
    External - has it caught it's leg, been fighting, is it arthritis, a corn or bumble foot. Look for breaks, swelling, injuries.
    Internal - could it be worms,a virus or stress?
    Roberts suggestes feeling the weight of the bird to see if it's underweight as this may suggest a feeding problem or worms, also to check vent and droppings as the colour of droppings can indicate a problem too.
    Is it hot where you are Zara - coould it be staggers? The bird appears unsteady on their fee - drunk! It's due to lack of oxygenated blood to head and their temperature has uncreased. Treatment is to cool them down by wrapping them in wet towels and fan them.
    If it's stress then placing them in a safe place, with clean fresh water and can add a liquid vitamin to water.
    Hope your duckling is ok.
    Best Wishes
    sara @ farmingfriends

    Posted 2 years ago #
  7. xxbellabugxx
    Member

    hi Sarah, the problem seems to be internal, nothing seems to be wrong with the legs themselves, he doesn't seem under weight and to be honest i don't see his droppings unless i confine him to an area separate from the others, but this will cause a lot of stress.
    Can stress cause shaky legs? they don't seem to stressed out.. only when i go in there and dad gets a little too close to the fence/
    - where i live is the opposite to hot at the moment, we have just had non stop rain for the last month or two causing a lot of flooding- hang on, could a mold of some sort cause this? since all this wet weather.. maybe he has eaten something he should have? i don't know just a thought -
    ill take him to the vet on monday to see if we can get some vitamins, and ill try the cuttlefish idea xx thankyou

    Posted 2 years ago #
  8. Hi Zara,
    Yes mould could cause an infection and stress can cause ducks to lose the use of their legs.
    A sign of poisoning can be limping.
    Sounds like a good idea to take him to the vets on Monday - good luck.
    Best Wishes
    sara @ farmingfriends

    Posted 2 years ago #
  9. campbell ridge
    Administrator

    you can get vitamins at most pet shops.

    Sarah L
    Posted 2 years ago #
  10. pinkpoultry
    Member

    Oh good luck to your little duckie, I know first hand how hard it is when the little fellas dont seem right, it is such a worry. I took my little duckie to the vet and the vet was wonderful with him, I was so upset and had it in my head the vet was going to say I was being stupid for being so worried, but he didnt. Prayers for your little fella. xxx

    Posted 2 years ago #
  11. Mama
    Member

    Sad to read this Zara and don't apologise as this is what the forum is for, help when needed. hope the little on will be ok. Mama

    Goose Girl
    Posted 2 years ago #
  12. xxbellabugxx
    Member

    hi guys,
    Pinkpoultry - thats nice to hear your vet was great with your little one, the first vet i took mine to wasn't so good and handled him roughly and had no idea what she was doing, So we requested a different vet and i know he's lovely and will do his best to help my little one.

    Speaking of vets, i wont be able to take Peanut (the duckling) until tuesday arvo, BUT the good news is is was looking a lot better today! he wasn't as shaky as yesterday and looks brighter himself. i hope he continues to get even better,
    I'm getting some cuttlefish today and going to give that a try aswell, hopefully all this worrying was for nothing and he turns out fine! xxxxx

    Posted 2 years ago #
  13. pinkpoultry
    Member

    I have a duckling (now a big strong boy!) called Peanut!!!!!!!!!!! He was my first born. (well hatched, haha) im so glad he is looking better, if he isnt 100% then just pop him into the vets (to the nice one!) for a once over. I may get some cuttlefish too, just to give them a sprinkling-wont do any harm.
    Bellabug are you on Facebook? Do you have photos of your little guys? If so I would love to be your facebook friend!xxx

    Posted 2 years ago #
  14. xxbellabugxx
    Member

    OMG thats awesome! i loveee the name peanut its so cute :)
    I went down to let them out this morning and he was only shaky when he walks..? like he wasn't strong enough to hold his weight and walk at the same time.. we have an appointment at the vet on tuesday afternoon so we'll see how it goes.

    yess i have heaps of photos! they were a lot cuter when they were tiny though! i cant believe how much they have grown in four weeks!! xxx
    here's the link -

    http://ducklingphotos.webs.com/

    (just go to recent photo on the right!) xx

    Posted 2 years ago #
  15. Pastordot
    Member

    Bellabug,

    Your photos are awesome! Such adorable little duckies! Thank you so much for sharing. Will be keeping little Peanut in my prayers that he/she gets stronger.

    Blessings,
    Dottie

    Posted 2 years ago #
  16. campbell ridge
    Administrator

    Gorgeous photos Zara.
    s

    Sarah L
    Posted 2 years ago #
  17. xxbellabugxx
    Member

    thankyou, i added a couple more just now, of ones i took this morning... just to let you know :) xxx

    Posted 2 years ago #
  18. they are so sweet Zara, hope all goes well on Tuesday, like Laura ( pinkpoultry ) asked are you on facebook, lots of us are x
    Mo

    mo x
    Posted 2 years ago #
  19. xxbellabugxx
    Member

    yes i am on Facebook, heres a link to my profile, if you would like to add me as a friend send me a message, so i know who you are!
    haha anyway, just to let you know i'm only 15..

    http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1222625675

    Posted 2 years ago #
  20. hi zara on your profile we cant message you so i have sent you a request maureen mellor
    Mo

    mo x
    Posted 2 years ago #
  21. good to be friends, I have just read that your state is due more floods this week, hope your ducklings will be ok this time x

    mo x
    Posted 2 years ago #
  22. xxbellabugxx
    Member

    oh really? i didn't even know.. great. Well i will be moving the ducklings tomorrow up into the front yard, where its a lot higher and dryer. hope they will be okay! x

    Posted 2 years ago #
  23. Lorna
    Member

    Hello Zara
    I hope the Vet will be able to help Peanut, your photos are lovely.

    Best Wishes
    Lorna

    Posted 2 years ago #
  24. scotty
    Member

    lovely pics! peanut is apricot coloured! i have a girl just the same, definately my fav.
    hope things keep improving for peanut
    Di

    Posted 2 years ago #
  25. Mama
    Member

    Lovely pics Zara, thanks for sharing . Best wishes for Peanut .Mama

    Goose Girl
    Posted 2 years ago #
  26. pinkpoultry
    Member

    Peanut is a very popular name!! I shall add you tonight :o) xx

    Posted 2 years ago #

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