I got a couple of ducklings the other day and am starting to wonder if one of them might be blind. When I handfeed them, he comes for my hand, but it's as if he can't see where the food is, because he nibbles all over my hand until he finds the food. He also doesn't react if I wave my hand in front of his face, but our other duckling--who I have seen track ants and can definitely see--doesn't react much either. Do you have any suggestions for how I can figure out if he is vision impaired or blind?
Wondering if my duckling might be blind
- Thread starter lina500
- Start date
Take him to a vet, or hold food in front of him or to the side of his face. Ducks see from the side, if they're looking directly at you their heads will be turned so you can only see one side. Prey animals are all like this, horses, deer, fish, predators eyes are in the front of their heads, humans, dogs, cats, foxes. It may just know that you won't hurt him when you wave your hand around.
If he comes toward your hand for treats, I think he can see fine. But as Carrosaur wrote, his eyes are set so that he probably cannot see the end of his bill, so he just noms around for the treat.
- Thread starter
- #4
That is possible. I would try giving a poultry multi vitamin once a week, see if that helps. He could just be a little slow. Elfie seemed slow her first six months, then she caught up and she is as sharp as any of the flock.
- Thread starter
- #6
The other thing is he's half the size of the other duckling, even though they both started out the same size. He seems happy and healthy, though.
I am not sure where I can get unmedicated feed/vitamins where I live (I live abroad) but I will look. We are feeding them a balanced diet (with protein).
I am not sure where I can get unmedicated feed/vitamins where I live (I live abroad) but I will look. We are feeding them a balanced diet (with protein).
It can be tricky, to find just what you want for the duck. There is a vitamin, Poly-Vi-Sol, without iron, that some people use when they cannot find poultry vitamins.
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