Ducklings not standing

[ollyclarkson]

I've got 8 ducklings in a pen outside, they're about 10 days old and up until today I haven't had a problem.

I went to pick one up today and they all tried to get away and 2 went between a tub of water and the chicken wire fence, I moved the water tub away expecting them to just run out the other side but they were just kind of lying on their belly?! They were moving their legs and clearly trying to move but didn't seem to be able to put enough pressure on the ground to lift them selves up? I picked them up and they wiggled their legs like normal but the same problem when I put them down again. They just look like they are trying to push themselves along on their bellys like penguins do on ice.. Any ideas on what I can do? Had plenty of ducklings going down the side of things before but never seen anything like this, any ideas? I thought maybe they might have cracked their ribs or something?

Many thanks 17

 

[Tim]

Are you feeding medicated (chick) crumbs to them?

This is the most common problem as they overdose on the anti cocci drug that's used in it.

 

[ollyclarkson]

I'm feeding them chick crumbs I got from the local pet shop, what can I feed them in its place?

Thanks

 

[AlexArt]

You can get organic chick crumbs fron a agricultural feed merchant - tell them you want ones safe for ducklings - some are very badly labled and it's only in the small print it says not safe for ducklings!

 

[Marigold]

The wrong sort will say it contains coccidiostat additives, somewhere in the small print. Because ducklings eat more than chicks in proportion to their body weight, they take in more of the coccidiosis drug than they should, and this causes overdose problems. It may be possible to get duckling crumb from a larger agricultural supplier.
I am only speaking of what I've read, not from personal experience, but maybe the 'duck people' can advise you on how long to keep them on high-protein chick crumb. Am I right in thinking they might develop angel wing if not put on to a lower protein diet sooner than chicks?

(edit) yes here it is, on thevPoultrykeeper website http://poultrykeeper.com/external-problems/angel-wing-waterfowl

 

[chrismahon]

One of our local suppliers does small bags of chick crumb with no labelling on it Olly. They are decanted from a large bag and put into a small 1Kg plastic bag. So you don't know that it has ACS in unless you ask, which I did, then promptly put it back on the shelf.

 

[dorsetduckowner]

Get them off the medicated feed asap. This is likely the problem and may not affect the whole flock. Feathers andbeaky chick crumbs arefine for ducklings. They should stay on them for 2-4 weeks then onto duck and goose grower. Sadly once they have gone off their legs sometimes they dont recover and may have seizures. I hope they recover soon. Feed stores are clueless about stuff like this and never lable things correctly. Ducklings also need extra niacin. Crush up tablets in water and sprinkle brewers yeast on food. Pm me for doses. Good luck! There are also some good brands of duck starter.