Bulge on Duckling??

[esaroveS]

I have two almost 2-week old ducklings and they are stumbling and having balance issues, and one now has a buldge on his neck/shoulder area. Is this over eating?

 

[cheezenkwackers]

The bulge is probably just a full crop and usually is normal unless it is impacted. I keep food always available for my ducklings and they do not overeat but sometimes they pig out. The stumbling and balance issues are NOT normal. Have you been giving them Brewer's yeast or Niacin? Are they outside? Hopefully those who are better at medical issues will chime in.

 

[ejtrout31]

Can you post a picture please?

 

[esaroveS]

Will the bump go away? I was recommended a B complex liquid for the stumbling but it seems to only be getting worse. I am out picking up brewers yeast to see if that can help.

 

[esaroveS]

They are being kept inside in a brooder in my garage because we have had a cold front come in. I will attach a short video.

 

[cheezenkwackers]

That looks like a full crop to me and yes it will go away. Since birds do not have teeth their food first goes to a pouch-like organ called the crop. It is in the front, side of their neck. Then, their food moves to an organ called the gizzard which grinds the food with rocks the bird swallowed before the food moves to the intestines.
I am not seeing that much of a balance problem. Do they have trouble out of the container? Ducklings get really skittish as they get older and move quickly. Some times too quickly. The B-vitamins you are giving them will contain Niacin, it is a B vitamin. There is a lot of it in Brewer's yeast, which is why we give it to ducklings. You don't need both. Hang in there, duckling grow quickly and it takes some time for their nervous systems to catch up. They are kind of like middle school boys and will grow into their bodies. I would keep up the vitamins and try not to worry. Others may have a different opinion though.

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

Are these Pekins? What are you feeding? Do you have chick grit.

 

[ejtrout31]

The stumbling is normal for new birds they are just figuring everything out and the bulge is the crop.

Here is some reading on the digestive system.

https://campus.murraystate.edu/faculty/tderting/cva_atlases/canduck/digestsysduck.htm

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

The stumbling is normal for new birds they are just figuring everything out and the bulge is the crop.

Here is some reading on the digestive system.

https://campus.murraystate.edu/faculty/tderting/cva_atlases/canduck/digestsysduck.htm

This is where I went to school.

 

[Miss Lydia]

How much liquid b complex are you giving your ducklings and how? How large is their brooder?