How long does it take Niacin deficiency to clear up?

[Rubycon]

Hi Everyone!

I am new here and I have a question! I live on a large farm with quite a few animals, and recently I was given a few ducklings by our neighbors that had too many. We have an acre pond in my back yard and thought why not! The one thing we've never had before were ducks, and the instructions she gave us were "just feed what you feed your chickens." Well, we found out pretty quickly that was not the best advice and we now have a duckling with what I heavily assume is a niacin deficiency. She's having trouble walking because her feet are turned in (feet are crossing when she walks) and her legs are bowed out. She is a white crested duck, and interestingly enough, the other ducklings that are various Runners and two buffs look absolutely fine. I have been trying to read through this forum for some advice before I registered for my own account, and I immediately went to TSC and bought Purina Flock Raiser crumbles, and I have some brewer's yeast on order that is coming tomorrow. They have been on the new feed for about a week and a half. How long does it take to see a difference in my duck? She seemed a little worse yesterday. I have been debating separating her from the others to make sure she is getting enough feed, but I am worried that will stress her out. My ducklings were hatched July 25th if it helps at all. I also have taken them out of the brooder on warm days and took them to the pond and let them have about a hour or two of supervised time to swim around and forage hoping that may help.

Is there anything else I can do in the mean time for my duck? I have been also been feeding them meal worms, basil, lettuce and some frozen peas for snacks. I am so worried about her. I honestly would have never thought ducks would have such personalities and how attached I am to them, and I am super stressed out about her!

I attached a picture of Aretha for everyone, and thanks so much for your help in advance! The mallard in the picture is one of several from our neighbor's house, they like to fly over and take a swim and get a snack from the garden almost daily!

 

[Canadian Wind]

Hi, and welcome to BYC! Sorry it's not for a happier reason...

You should get Duck Growth crumbles. They have the higher Niacin that a duckling needs. Limit the snacks, and sprinkle the yeast over the food (perhaps wet the food so it gets in there well).

I don't know how long it takes for it to show any effects, sorry.

 

[Rubycon]

Hi, and welcome to BYC! Sorry it's not for a happier reason...

You should get Duck Growth crumbles. They have the higher Niacin that a duckling needs. Limit the snacks, and sprinkle the yeast over the food (perhaps wet the food so it gets in there well).

I don't know how long it takes for it to show any effects, sorry.

Okay thank you! I will have to order some actual duck food online, the only place around here is TSC and ours doesn't carry specific duck food, and I got that Purina one specifically because on their website it said it had adequate niacin for ducklings, but I kind of started to wonder as of yesterday when she looked a little worse.

 

[DuneDucks]

You should get her started on some Vitamin B complex as soon as you can. Below is the brand a lot of us use. You can usually find it at Tractor Supply Co. The bottle says injectable, but you can just put 1 mL over their favorite treat and feed it to them orally. You'll probably want to do that on a daily basis for a bit if she hasn't been receiving her required amounts of niacin up until now. Depending on the style of bottle you may need to pick up a needle/syringe to draw the solution out as well.

 

[Rubycon]

You should get her started on some Vitamin B complex as soon as you can. Below is the brand a lot of us use. You can usually find it at Tractor Supply Co. The bottle says injectable, but you can just put 1 mL over their favorite treat and feed it to them orally. You'll probably want to do that on a daily basis for a bit if she hasn't been receiving her required amounts of niacin up until now. Depending on the style of bottle you may need to pick up a needle/syringe to draw the solution out as well.
View attachment 3228457

Thanks! I will go get that on my lunch break. Should I hold off on giving her the brewers yeast when it comes tomorrow then? Also, should I separate her to make sure she's getting it all?

 

[DuneDucks]

Thanks! I will go get that on my lunch break. Should I hold off on giving her the brewers yeast when it comes tomorrow then? Also, should I separate her to make sure she's getting it all?

Probably won't hurt to do both. If you already have the yeast ordered I'd go ahead and use it. And yeah, I would separate her while giving her the B complex just so you can be sure she's getting all of it.

 

[Rubycon]

I bought the vitamin B complex and gave her the first dose as soon as I got home last night. She was definitely acting worse and was almost spinning. I soaked it in a small dish of meal worms and and she it right up! She is in her own box for now. Getting ready to do the second dose here shortly. I will keep everyone updated! Thanks again for all your help!

 

[ProudRedneck]

I bought the vitamin B complex and gave her the first dose as soon as I got home last night. She was definitely acting worse and was almost spinning. I soaked it in a small dish of meal worms and and she it right up! She is in her own box for now. Getting ready to do the second dose here shortly. I will keep everyone updated! Thanks again for all your help!

How is Aretha doing after a week of treatment?

 

[Rubycon]

How is Aretha doing after a week of treatment?

I think I am finally starting to see a difference! It looks like her leg is slightly starting to straighten and her walk seems looks it is starting to improve. I have been giving it to her with Meal worms in a small glass dish and she knows the sound of the dish. She gets extremely excited and starts quacking, so that makes it easy

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

I am glad to see she is improving
Keep giving the vitamin B complex for a few more weeks
It takes a little bit of time to correct it
I give nutritional yeast as it has a bit more niacin 1tbs over 1 cup of feed till 10-12 weeks. Because she is showing signs of issues I would go 12 weeks. Then as adults a few times a week I sprinkle some over the feed
I raise pekin , pekin x khaki Campbell and Swedish.
Some ducklings just need more then others and you can’t hurt any of them by giving it
Because you are feeding treats it’s very important to get chick grit as well
I keep a bowl out at all times as they can have trouble digesting feed that isn’t crumble
Your property may or may not have the sand or Little Rock’s that wild ducks use to help them
So it’s best to just put it out in case. They are very smart and know how and when to use it
If you have female ducks at age 4 months I add a bowl of crushed oyster shells as well
This will help them when laying eggs
They know when they need it and the boys never eat them.
My girls eat them everyday
Hope these tips help
Many of us have also learned to keep a supply of medical stuff in case anything happens so we aren’t rushing to find things
Poly vi sol infant drops ( vitamins )
Vet wrap tape
Vet jelly for prolapse
Antibiotic cream without pain relief
Vitamin E capsules
Infant Motrin or infant aspirin
Food grade charcoal pills ( if they eat anything poison )
Liquid Calcium miss Lydia or ducky Donna know the correct one to get in USA
I’m going to tag a few ladies to add the other stuff as my mind is going blank on what the stuff is called
But things for if a bird is attacked you can clean wounds
Bumble foot
@Miss Lydia
@DuckyDonna
@BelovedBirds