The Duck Thread

[Ravynscroft]

Me too! Yes he does. Thank you so much for your help RavynFallen!

You're very welcome! I am just glad that it worked out for you and him... give your mom an extra big hug too... I know how it is to struggle to get things done that need to be, but glad you both persevered for Merlin's sake...

 

[staceyrae]

Can anyone help me something's happens to my baby ducks leg and I feel so bad what can I do to help it. Do I need to take it to a vet? The poor thing can not walk on it at all and is just laying there helpless. I thought the water would help but it didn't.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Can anyone help me something's happens to my baby ducks leg and I feel so bad what can I do to help it. Do I need to take it to a vet? The poor thing can not walk on it at all and is just laying there helpless. I thought the water would help but it didn't.

@staceyrae are you giving your duckling brewers yeast or Plain niacin? What are you feeding your lil one? Chick starter does not have enough niacin for our ducklings[water fowl] so we have to add extra if not some ducklings develop leg problems where they go lame and if not treated can be permanent. Or do you think the duckling injured it's lag may feel or got stepped on accidently?

When it's in the water can it move it's legs at all?

Some great info. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/750869/raising-and-caring-for-ducklings#post_10611711

 

[staceyrae]

@Miss Lydia

Hi Lydia,

I'm not too sure to be honest I've attached a pic of the food they eat I don't believe it's starter food.
It's only my first time owning ducks so I'm still learning everything and right now I'm feeling like it was a bad idea because I love them so much and don't want to do anything wrong by them.
I took them out of where I'm keeping them just as babies and I'm sure it was ok before I picked it up. As normal they tried to flap and run away and I'm thinking that it may have twisted into the wrong direction and possibly pulled a muscle or strained it? Because as soon as I put it on the ground it's leg went limp. I didn't drop it at all. And when I examined it everything appeared to be fine apart from it not being used. I moved its leg around and it didn't cry or try to get away so I'm not sure what's wrong. Now it's foot is curled up and when I put it in the water straight after it happened it can move it but very minimal and it just swung to the side. I'm very concerned and I just took a pic to the vet and the receptionist kind of laughed and just said to bring it in. That made me even angrier when I'm trying to get help from a professional!

 

[Amiga]

It can be maddening when someone who is supposed to help does something like that.

Still, I think a vet needs to take a look (the vet may not be happy with that clerk, either, so see how it goes with the vet).

That is a finisher food, not starter, so I would get starter food. Chick starter (preferaby unmedicated is my feeling, but if it has amprolium that is said not to be bad for ducklings - we have to each decide about that) plus 150 mg niacin (plain, not no-flush or timed release) per gallon of drinking water for eight to twelve weeks. And that is a recommendation from David Holderread, who literally wrote a book about duck care.

Some time supervised in brooder-temperature water for five or ten minutes at a time may help. It could be a bad sprain. The little one may need a sling. Ducklings can recover from serious injury. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. They need appropriate help, but they have a will to live and sometimes can really overcome big problems.

Please keep us posted.

 

[staceyrae]

@Amiga

@Amiga
Thank you so much for your insightful information I will be sure to do these things.

I have some very sad news. So I researched around and found a vet that specialises in ducks and raced over there immediately. So I walked in and he advised me that it has broken it's femur bone who's his the upper thigh part. He said it couldn't be strapped up to be secure to repair and if we tried it he said it would be cruel as the bones would not realign correctly. After further examination and the vet discovering that the two I owned were only one day apart and significantly different in size he believed my duck had a bone disease or something very wrong with it as the bigger duck looks strong and healthy as it should. He said that in his opinion it would be the most humane thing to do would be to let it go and not let it suffer throughout it's life.
Today was one of the hardest days and I couldn't believe how attached i have become to my babies. I did not want it to suffer throughout it's life and I honestly hope I have made the right choice. Now my other duck is upset, chirping and looking for its friend. I don't want to replace my baby so soon but it's not fair on my other one to be alone right?
:,(
I attached some photos of yesterday and today at the vet

 

[Ravynscroft]

@Amiga

@Amiga
Thank you so much for your insightful information I will be sure to do these things.

I have some very sad news. So I researched around and found a vet that specialises in ducks and raced over there immediately. So I walked in and he advised me that it has broken it's femur bone who's his the upper thigh part. He said it couldn't be strapped up to be secure to repair and if we tried it he said it would be cruel as the bones would not realign correctly. After further examination and the vet discovering that the two I owned were only one day apart and significantly different in size he believed my duck had a bone disease or something very wrong with it as the bigger duck looks strong and healthy as it should. He said that in his opinion it would be the most humane thing to do would be to let it go and not let it suffer throughout it's life.
Today was one of the hardest days and I couldn't believe how attached i have become to my babies. I did not want it to suffer throughout it's life and I honestly hope I have made the right choice. Now my other duck is upset, chirping and looking for its friend. I don't want to replace my baby so soon but it's not fair on my other one to be alone right?
:,(
I attached some photos of yesterday and today at the vet

So sorry... you made a choice based on the circumstances... nobody can judge you for putting what was best for your duckling ahead of your own wants... it's those hard choices we must make sometimes that makes for a truly caring caregiver...

You are not replacing your baby, but finding your remaining one a new friend... the sooner the better, if possible... I feel it is easier on them at that age to create a new bond with another than to wait until they're older and don't recognize another duck as a potential friend... hope this helps you and don't forget to still get the Niacin and change the feed like Amiga suggested, please...

 

[QuackSpeak]

I'm so sorry about your little duck...No one can judge about what happened, as it was Not your fault, and no one can say any different. Hopefully, hes in a better place now, and I'm sure he had a fun and fulfilling life with you. I agree with Ravynfallen about getting another duckling - You will not be replacing your duckling, but helping his sibling to survive.

 

[Amiga]

We make our best decisions with what we know. You and the vet were there, you were in the best position to decide. It is difficult.

An unbreakable mirror can help your single duckling a bit for now.

I agree that unless you can be the duckling's 24/7 partner for the next 15 years, it would be good to get a ducky buddy. Take a little time to sort out how you want to do this - you are in touch with many loving duck people here who all want to help as they can.

 

[NathanZee]

@stacyrae

You did all that you could, I think it was the right decision.