[maryb]

Hello - I'm hoping that someone can help ...  I have 4 new ducklings (aylesburys), about 6 weeks old.  All was well when I went to pick them up, but one now is struggling to walk.  She is eating and drinking well, and seems lively, but just can't get herself up onto her feet.  There is no sign of any injury and she doesn't appear to be in pain - no reaction from gently moving either leg, or joints.  The others are fine.
 
I have separated her from the others, mostly so that she can get enough to eat and drink.  I read somewhere that this might be a niacin deficiency, and will get hold of some niacin tomorrow to try, but wondered whether anyone else had come across anything like this.

I've had chickens and hatching eggs from the place that we bought the ducklings from, so I know that they are OK.  Does anyone have any ideas?

Thank you!

[scruffbag]

see my post on aylesburys ducks from a few days ago, i had 6 ducks 8 weeks old, the move caused 2 of them to suffer post trumatic stress dissorder, they are all fine now 6 days latter, time and lack of stress seems the only answer to it that i know of. Try to reduce handling, if its not getting pushed about by the others i would leave it with them as the lack of flock can cause great deal of stress. Are your ducks kind of walking on elbows and tail with their feet sort of curled that what mine did using their wings for support?

[maryb]

Thank you - I did wonder about stress.  Now think I'd better move her back to the others.  I was just worried that she may not have been getting enough food if she had to compete.  She's sort of shuffling along on her belly with her legs curled up underneath, and her wings out for balance.  I'll keep a close eye on her and lots of TLC.