15 hour old Duckling hatched with weak right leg- cannot walk

[LizD1]

Hi I am a newbie and an 'accidental' duck hatcher. I took in duck eggs from a nest at my daughters school when we found the momma dead and decomposing on a Monday. No organization would help, said the eggs were likely dead. Long story short 11 days later we have 2 ducklings out of 8 eggs. They required an assisted hatch and the whole process from internal pip to being free from the shell took over 48 hours. The first duckling has been hatched 30 hours and second duckling hatched about 15 hours. The first one out is strong and doing well. The second duckling had its leg positioned over its head during hatching. It is not walking on its right leg. It keeps the webbed foot closed mostly, does not put weight on it and keeps the leg elevated. The joint closest to the body looks larger or swollen when compared to the left leg and its sibling. It seems to be hurting.
I put a little splint (a triangle of cardboard and medical tape) on the foot to extend the webbed foot and support the lower part of the leg.
What else can I do? The duck is pretty active still, drinking and eating, but gets stuck on its back frequently.
I'll attach some pictures. Thanks for your help.

 

[HumbleHen207]

That is an amazing story, congratulations on the hatch! You are doing about as much as you can do for the leg right now.
One thing that we have done with waterfowl with leg problems has been giving them swimming therapy in a water source where their feet cannot touch. This allows for the legs to strengthen without them needing to stand on it. I wouldnt recommend this right now as your baby is not yet waterproof, but possibly something to consider in the future if the leg is slow to correct.
For now I would just be patient, either it will correct or it wont, even if it doesnt it is highly likely the duck will learn to cope with it and live a full life.
Best of luck to you!

 

[LizD1]

Thank you for your reassurance HumbleHen207. I would hate for the siblings to be separated. They have fought so hard to get here! I'm off to tractor supply to get poultry drench, pine shavings and a vitamin B supplement.

 

[HumbleHen207]

Keep me posted how he does! The supplements are a good idea. What is the protein percentage on the feed you are giving them?

 

[LizD1]

I am feeding DuMor chicken starter/grower. It is 20% protein. The ducky with the weak leg is getting around a little better. It is getting to water and food on its own. It still gets stuck on its back a bit, but seems to be starting to figure out how to flip back over.

 

[HumbleHen207]

Awesome. 20% is what you want for ducklings, many chick starters contain much less however. Less than 20% can cause deformities such as angel wing and leg issues. Ducks also shouldn't eat medicated feed designed for chickens. When they get older they can eat regular layer food however, though many suggest a higher protein feed for life, I have never had an issue feeding them the same things my chickens eat.

 

[LizD1]

The duckling with the weak right leg is improving a little every day. He hasn't gotten stuck on his back for over 24 hours. He has been using his right leg for scratching and at times to push off of or maneuver. I have been having him run around several times a day, I gently try to extend the leg and foot to keep the leg as functional as possible. He is getting poultry drench and b complex daily in his water. He had his first swim in a paint roller tray and he used the right leg. He does tire easily which makes him cuddly

Here are some pictures of his resting position, his joint from the rear and his foot (with the electrical tape keeping his web extended.)

 

[Amiga]

Hi!

Ducklings often develop symptoms of niacin deficiency, and that shows up in leg problems and flipping over, and seizures and other ways.

I would start the duckling on 150 mg of plain niacin per gallon of drinking water right away (Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks recommendation). On the Duck Forum we have seen dozens of ducklings improve within days, just adding niacin.

Please post over on the Duck Forum, you may get some more ideas.

HumbleHen207 is being a terrific support for duckling issues over here on the Emergencies forum,

 

[LizD1]

Hi!

Ducklings often develop symptoms of niacin deficiency, and that shows up in leg problems and flipping over, and seizures and other ways.

I would start the duckling on 150 mg of plain niacin per gallon of drinking water right away (Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks recommendation). On the Duck Forum we have seen dozens of ducklings improve within days, just adding niacin.

Please post over on the Duck Forum, you may get some more ideas.

HumbleHen207 is being a terrific support for duckling issues over here on the Emergencies forum,

Thank you Amiga! I have been giving a crushed B complex vitamin in the water and poultry drench for about 4 days. I definitely see improvement, but it looks like something is out of place at the "knee" joint level. Should I be giving straight niacin instead? I also have a post on the duck forum, but I will add a specific one for this leg issue. @HumbleHen207 has been wonderful! I love this forum!

 

[HumbleHen207]

Thanks! Ducks are tricky, I started raising them a few years ago and discovered how different from chickens they really are. I have never used niacin before so I am not sure if you should add it to what you are giving or just give straight niacin. Happy to see the baby is improving!