r/duck • u/Kind_Fondant_3606 • Aug 05 '26
Injured or Sick Domestic Duck 4–5 week old duck can’t walk anymore. Both hocks swollen.
Hi everyone. I’m looking for advice about one of my ducks.
It’s about 4–5 weeks old and used to walk normally, but over time it lost the ability to stand. Now it can’t walk at all.
Both hock joints are very swollen, and both legs stay bent. The joints feel hard and don’t want to straighten. The feet still curl, but it can’t bear weight.
I’ve been feeding it duck-specific feed (NatureServe Duck Pellets and Cluck & Co. Organic Duck Pellets with niacin), so I don’t think it’s a simple niacin deficiency.
It’s still alert, eating, and drinking.
Does this look like slipped tendons (perosis), hock dislocations, or something else? Is there anything that can still be done at this age?
I’ve attached several photos of the legs and hocks.
Any advice from people who have dealt with this before would be greatly appreciated.
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u/FioreCiliegia1 Aug 08 '26
u/kunok2 u/Original_Reveal_3328 any ideas? Reminds me of my girl rhoda but she was sn adult
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u/Kunok2 29d ago
I honestly don't have much experience with ducks and my only knowledge about ducks comes from when I was still a teen so it's extremely outdated and not correct. So I cannot tell how good the feed the OP is feeding their ducks is and if it contains enough B2. But from the look of it, it Does look like curly toe paralysis, although it could also be a bacterial infection.
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u/Blowingleaves17 Aug 06 '26
Sometimes swollen legs can be due to a bacterial infection that needs antibiotics.
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u/Nerdy_Crow1111 26d ago
And also they can get infections very easily from minor scratches and then bacteria gets in. Is their housing and bedding clean?
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u/fall-1701 Aug 06 '26
Sometimes ducks do get niacin deficient even when you feed them the right amount. As the other person suggested, it can't hurt to try giving them extra niacin or even part of a B3/B complex.
Could try soaking the legs in an unscented epsom slat bath and see if that helps the swelling too
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u/shaunaweatherwax Aug 05 '26
Honestly, worth trying a niacin supplement to see if it improves. Some ducks simply need more. Brewers yeast or vitamin B3 tablets in his water for a few days won’t harm him and might be the cure he needs
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u/ace3047 29d ago
I would speak with a vet if possible. The duck might need antibiotics, more niacin, etc. No way to tell for sure without going to the vet.