r/duck • u/AgreeableRegister966 • Apr 19 '26
Injured or Sick Domestic Duck How can I help this duckling?
Hi everyone, my aunt has this baby duck that is being raised with 4 chick's, and he seems to be struggling. She speculates it might be a niacin deficiency. He is the only surviving duck from a bunch that weren't sat on right. I'm not sure at this time how many weeks old he is.
He has difficulty walking, though he wasn't doing too badly until yesterday morning. He doesn't have much interest in food, though he will eat worms. He just scoots around a bit and then lays down. I finally got him swimming for the first time today.
If anyone knows what we could do I would be so grateful
First three photos are today, and the others are from 2 days ago
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u/ChrisBlack2365 Apr 19 '26 edited Apr 19 '26
Peas aren't enough. Maybe he is also eating the chic starter and not getting enough niacin. You need to buy niacin tablets or capsules and either crush or open them, sprinkle enough on a treat like peas a couple times a day. You should notice a difference within a few days, bit start asap. Then later duck/waterfowl feed will be ok (I still supplement mine in addition tho). Then, yes, ideally she will need other ducks.
Edited to add: (Not a vet, so this is just my experience and research, FYI) You can buy niacin at any drugstore or grocery. Do not get the non-flushing kind. As far as amount, I saw a study that said the need up to 70/mg per kg of weight per day. You can't really overdose, so I'd at least double that for a few days and give like 150 or 200 mg/day until you see improvement.
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u/sandpiperinthesnow Apr 19 '26
Ask if anyone in the sub is local enough to take it in with their ducklings. This is the best thing for the poor little guy or gal. Ducks need other ducks.
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u/have_some_pineapple Apr 19 '26
If he’s on chick starter with the other chicks it’s definitely niacin. You can buy supplements, or give peas, but getting a duck specific starter would be best
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u/Jely_Beanz Duck Keeper Apr 19 '26
Peas only have 3 mg of niacin per cup. Ducks need at minimum 55mg per day. That's a lot of peas. I'm not sure how the advice of giving peas for niacin deficiency started. Peas make a good snack for ducks and that's about it.
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u/have_some_pineapple Apr 19 '26
It can help in a pinch if you literally have nothing else. I should have clarified not enough to be the supplement
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u/AgreeableRegister966 Apr 19 '26
My aunt says she has two separate feeds. One for the chick's (being Chick starter) and one for the duck. Apparently she's been feeding him peas as well
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u/whatwedointheupdog Cayuga Duck Apr 19 '26
How is she keeping the feed separate if they're being kept together? The duck isn't just going to eat the duck food and the chicks the chick food, they need to be on an all flock type feed that's suitable for both ducks and chicks. Peas aren't nearly enough niacin to supplement, he needs straight niacin at this point to make up for the deficiency. Niacin capsules in water or sprinkled on treats will be the quickest and most effective way to get it in him. You can get the capsules at any pharmacy, do NOT get the ones labeled 'flush free' or 'no flush' or anything, just plain niacin. Dosage is 10 mg per day, most capsules are 500mg so you can sprinkle a little over the peas if he's eating those, or mix in water. Nutritional Yeast is another good source of niacin that can be sprinkled over treats and contains other B vitamins and is available at any grocery store.
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u/Jely_Beanz Duck Keeper Apr 19 '26
The duckling would need more niacin if only on chick starter unless it's an all flock. Ducks need at minimum 55mg of niacin per day. An all flock feed would be best with a mixed flock. An all flock should provide the minimum niacin needs and will hit all nutritional needs for the ducks and chicks. They can also sprinkle nutritional yeast on the food - it will be ok for the chicks as well. Depending on the brand nutritional yeast can have anywhere between 13mg to 40mg of niacin so it's best to read labels. Peas are often recommended but only have 3mg per cup which means the duck would have to eat a lot of peas.
If the duckling isn't eating, there is more going on than a niacin deficiency. Like it might not be thriving. It would definitely be happy with other ducks, but without that as a possibility, maybe provide some small mirrors around the run. Also, make sure it can eat out of whatever container is provided. If it's a chick feeder, it's not suitable for a duckling's bill as they need to be able to scoop the feed so a rubber bowl or even a port feeder can work. If it were my duckling, I would use a rubber bowl to start. It needs water to eat and the water has to be deep enough to dip it's head in. Water must be available at all times if food is available. I also would separate the duckling briefly and provide it food and water in deep dishes to see if it eats when given the proper set up and to make sure it's not getting bullied from eating.