Pekin ducklings with bad legs

Hi all.
I recently got 3 pekin ducklings. They were all fine when I got them, but one of them now has leg problems.

I am not sure if it's a deformity but I'm guessing he hurt himself after I got him because he didn't have this issue before. Both of his joints are swollen. Compared to the other ducklings his joints are double the size. He is not able to stand for long periods of time. He actually sits now.

I have been keeping him in a small basket in with the other ducks to keep him from running around but also keeping him with his buddies. Is there anything else I can do to help him recooperate?

I will attempt to post pictures.

Poor baby! No experience with leg issues here, but it looks like what the duckling in this thread has: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1091634/foot-problem-in-a-3-week-old-duckling

@Orca5094, @Amiga?

If you can get to a good vet, that would be helpful. Ducklings can recover from very serious issues, so don't forget that.

The usual things to consider for ducklings are:

if on chick starter, they are likely deficient in B vitamins especially niacin (B3). I feel that it's not just chick starter, but also the individual duck's metabolism. To work on that possibility, 150 mg of niacin - plain niacin, not timed-release, not no-flush - per gallon of drinking water their first three months. It won't hurt the others.

And it could be an injury - time off the leg can help. Some folks make small slings (make a way for the poop to fall to the floor, not pile up around the little one's vent). Time in brooder-temperature water can help, but with littles, they don't float so well. But the warmth and the joy of being in water is therapeutic for ducks. Some days, I'd like some brooder temperature water to float in... but I am in New England without an indoor pool

Epsom salt compresses can do wonders. You need to remember Epsom salt is a laxative!!!!! So you can soak a clean rag in Epsom salt solution and wrap the leg and the foot and hold the duckling for as long as you both can stand it - 15 minutes or so, two or three times a day. The Miss Lydia system has you put the Epsom salt water in a flat-bottomed, smallish bucket and hold the duck gently (no pressure on the legs, and with the duckling you could just hold the duckling so the legs are hanging) for several minutes to soak the leg. But no drinking the Epsom salt water! We do not need to add diarrhea and dehydration to the challenges.

With ducklings you want to be careful, but you may consider using a teeny tiny dab of arnica ointment, or T-Relief, or comfrey salve to continue to soothe the inflammation of the leg.

There is a possibility of infection, in which case antibiotics would be indicated. That's when having a good duck vet comes in handy - they can diagnose the infection and prescribe the appropriate medicine.

Can human vitamins be used for the duckling?

Also, should I hobble his legs?

Yes people vitamins can be used - just follow recommended duck dosages.

That does look like slipped Achilles tendons to me. Pekins tend to have alot of leg issues. If it IS slipped tendons, it is very hard to fix and often results in the duck needing to be put down due to low quality of life as they grow. Just so you are prepared. Of course it could also be another leg issue that vitamins could fix over time. Hard to tell for sure from the pics. You said he does stand up, though. Does he stand normally, or do the legs give out on him when he tries?

Can you get a pic from the side of his leg, showing the hock area?

Hope these pictures are good enough. It was kind of challenging holding him with one hand.

What about this - someone helped their young duckling.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...pped-tendons-in-bantam-duckling#post_16776516