Advice for disabled/compromised duck

[jahya0]

Limon is still improving. Vet told us today her breathing is about 85% of what he would expect. Otherwise, she's healthy.

Here's the concern. Vet suggests that Limon live indoors and go outside only to play (he's concerned the pneumonia will return). I'm thinking we need to diaper her, for obvious reasons. She will have 2 normal healthy ducks plus 5 chickens to play with outside.

Anyone else have an indoor duck? How do you handle things? Advice? Any good links to share?

 

[BelovedBirds]

Limon is still improving. Vet told us today her breathing is about 85% of what he would expect. Otherwise, she's healthy.

Here's the concern. Vet suggests that Limon live indoors and go outside only to play (he's concerned the pneumonia will return). I'm thinking we need to diaper her, for obvious reasons. She will have 2 normal healthy ducks plus 5 chickens to play with outside.

Anyone else have an indoor duck? How do you handle things? Advice? Any good links to share?

I'd perhaps get a second opinion if you're able to, or do independent research on whether or not the pneumonia is truly likely to come back if she lives outdoors

If it is necessary that she lives indoors, I'd have some tips.
Limon is relatively young right? It's best to start using nappies while they're young, because they can be really frightened by having material attached to them. You might be able to get her used to them. Both of my girls lived indoors (in my bedroom!) Until they were 7 months or older. I never had success with using nappies, both of them freaked and I ultimately decided it wasn't worth it. I used a large (tall) puppy pen, I actually had two joined together to make the perfect shape of a decent size.

It was a lot of work, I had to clean them out about 2 times a day. Once they were going outside for the daytime, I was able to just do a clean out in the morning, and then they'd have a clean bed ready for the night.

I raised them on puppy pads, but after they started to try and eat the material, I switched to towels, and then to washable fabric puppy pads, which worked best. It was a lot of work to hand wash and then machine wash these, and it took more than 24 hours to dry. It wasn't the most absorbent option but it did work, despite the amount of effort it took. Eventually I switched to pine shavings, which I found the freshest most absorbant option, but a bit of a pain to clean out and a LOT of waste every day. If I had to have an indoor duck again, I would use the reusable pads, though more work, I found them better for the environment, and I didn't have to worry about disposing of 7 bin bags of soiled shavings per week! It was significantly cheaper to use fabric as you can imagine.

I would also change the feed and water system, I'd put the buckets on a rack or something, with a tray and something absorbant underneath to catch spillage.
Another consideration is enrichment, without having the stimulation of being outdoors/bug hunting, they may benefit from toys. Some use mirrors or plushies, but my girls favourites were hanging baby toys, most things suitable for a newborn will be suitable for a duck. You just have to watch out for small parts that could be swallowed, or loose strings etc etc. Having different colours, shapes and textures can add a bit of entertainment, at least in my girls experience.
Time outside is always going to be important, so whenever you're able to, taking her outside to see the flock, feel the sunshine and have a splash in the pond will give her more of the enrichment she needs.

Indoor ducks will always be messy and can be somewhat stinky, but it can also be an enjoyable experience. I miss those days of watching them in their pen, seeing them splash in the bath tub each evening, and having them come out for a wander around the house.

Just some of my experience, hope some of it can help!

 

[jahya0]

I'd perhaps get a second opinion if you're able to, or do independent research on whether or not the pneumonia is truly likely to come back if she lives outdoors

If it is necessary that she lives indoors, I'd have some tips.
Limon is relatively young right? It's best to start using nappies while they're young, because they can be really frightened by having material attached to them. You might be able to get her used to them. Both of my girls lived indoors (in my bedroom!) Until they were 7 months or older. I never had success with using nappies, both of them freaked and I ultimately decided it wasn't worth it. I used a large (tall) puppy pen, I actually had two joined together to make the perfect shape of a decent size.

It was a lot of work, I had to clean them out about 2 times a day. Once they were going outside for the daytime, I was able to just do a clean out in the morning, and then they'd have a clean bed ready for the night.

I raised them on puppy pads, but after they started to try and eat the material, I switched to towels, and then to washable fabric puppy pads, which worked best. It was a lot of work to hand wash and then machine wash these, and it took more than 24 hours to dry. It wasn't the most absorbent option but it did work, despite the amount of effort it took. Eventually I switched to pine shavings, which I found the freshest most absorbant option, but a bit of a pain to clean out and a LOT of waste every day. If I had to have an indoor duck again, I would use the reusable pads, though more work, I found them better for the environment, and I didn't have to worry about disposing of 7 bin bags of soiled shavings per week! It was significantly cheaper to use fabric as you can imagine.

I would also change the feed and water system, I'd put the buckets on a rack or something, with a tray and something absorbant underneath to catch spillage.
Another consideration is enrichment, without having the stimulation of being outdoors/bug hunting, they may benefit from toys. Some use mirrors or plushies, but my girls favourites were hanging baby toys, most things suitable for a newborn will be suitable for a duck. You just have to watch out for small parts that could be swallowed, or loose strings etc etc. Having different colours, shapes and textures can add a bit of entertainment, at least in my girls experience.
Time outside is always going to be important, so whenever you're able to, taking her outside to see the flock, feel the sunshine and have a splash in the pond will give her more of the enrichment she needs.

Indoor ducks will always be messy and can be somewhat stinky, but it can also be an enjoyable experience. I miss those days of watching them in their pen, seeing them splash in the bath tub each evening, and having them come out for a wander around the house.

Just some of my experience, hope some of it can help!

Thank you so much! All of this is helpful. Our vet is the only one in town, so a second opinion isn't possible (no car, no way to get to another vet).

I an honestly enjoying her being with me. After losing her sister, I'm not wanting to take chances.

We will be trying the diapers and the pads. She's on towels now, so the laundry is not the most fun thing. We will look into more toys too.

Her duck friends will be coming to live with us in the next couple weeks. I'm excited for her to have buddies.

Thank you again for your advice! I feel so much better knowing that we aren't the only ones in this situation.