Pekin duckling care

I work at a farm where a small exotic animal exhibit is also located. The people who work there hatch out ducklings very often and hand raise the babies. They just recently (like 6 hours ago) hatched out a Pekin duckling who they cannot keep. S/he has something wrong with both feet because its little toes won't flatten out. It hasn't gotten up and needs to be raised up to food and water. I only saw it for about half an hour before I got out of work, so I don't know how well its doing right now.

But anyway, my question is what are the little guy's chances at living? I don't know if the foot problem is something that it can grow out of. Its not like spraddle legs, just that its toes are curled up so it can't stand. I offered to keep him/her if s/he makes it through the next day, since no one else wants it. So should the little thing live, what do I need to care for it? Are ducklings a lot like chicks? (because then I have it covered) I just need to know like what temperature it needs to be/does it need a special diet/when does it need water/etc?

Thanks so much. I really hope the ducky lives because I'm already attached to the idea of keeping it

Cannot help on the toe thing, but I would highly advise asking to take another duckling along too, just for company. Personally, I hate to see any species living a life as a single pet. (Well, except my chinchilla because they don't do well in same sex pairs and altering them is not recommended)

2 ducklings is best but 3 is better As for the feet you can spread the toes out and put little sticky foam pads on them to open them up. A vitamin pack would help also just for a boost. I hope you get the ducky and you can help it. Good luck

As bt03 said, there are a number of therapies to try. Even if the feet don't get fully straightened out, or straightened out at all, many special needs ducks live happily with the right people. There is a duck with problem feet who goes to work with his person every day. He sits on a pillow, which is on a blanket, and has food and water nearby, and a little mobile to play with (like a baby's crib, without the sides). He's a member of the team, and it's lovely to see him there.

Once old enough, the duck (your duck!) may do well with swimming.

Meanwhile, I agree - vitamins (especially niacin), electrolytes, probiotics, good nutrition, TLC, and a couple of buddies. Look into some splints or maybe even stiff fabric pads - I wonder if Nettie can make orthopedic sandals? Hmmmm.

Thanks for the replies guys. It's really sad to say this but the duckling passed away last night. The people at the exotic animal place said he was probably too weak to begin with But I told them that if they ever have another (or 2 or 3 haha) duckling that they don't want, I would take it. I know I probably had my hopes up for the little one, but it's still so sad. The idea of having it has made me want ducks even more though.

So sad to read about the little guy. That's such a hard part of caring about animals.


Please take in all you can from the Duck Forum - loads of information, interesting debates and differing opinions, and a good all around source for information ideas and encouragement.

You might start thinking about what kind of housing you can manage at your place (I have limited space, so I can only have a small flock, for example). What kind of food would you get and where would you get it? Deciding little things like that can help when the unexpected opportunity arises.

My ducklings arrived a month early - can you imagine how glad I was that I already knew where to buy food, that I already had the brooder set up, the temperature control tested, the waterers, the feeder, the grit, the bedding?

May your future ducks arrive at just the right time.