- Jul 4, 2012
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I live on a body of water with lots of wildlife and many ducks. A favorite muscovy duck of mine just had babies and one of them was hobbling behind the rest - since everytime they have babies one of them is slower than the others, I figured it was the typical slowpoke until I realized the hobbling nature of her walk, it turned into a hop on one leg for a few days and now she walks great - but as they have let me get closer and closer, I have now found that her foot is floppy/disconnected/only attached by her skin on the outside. Oddly, she now keeps up with the others just fine, she is clearly not in pain, although she rest a little more than the others in the shade. But she "play fights" to get worms from her siblings and has been trampled by them when running to the lake and just keeps going, she is otherwise totally healthy.....HOWEVER what happens when she or worse HE grows up and has only one working foot?
There are some predators in the area and while some of the other babies have "disappeared" over night, she (aka Flipper) is always there and comes to visit everyday, swims fine etc. - but when she is bigger what if she cannot support herself? If its a male duck, that would be worse, because the males on the lake can be aggressive with eachother and I don't think he could really handle it with only one foot, running on his little "peg" with his foot flopping.
UGH - do I try to get friendly (there's a few who follow me) so if he/she needs help when its older, he will accept my help? Do I raise him starting now? Do I leave him alone and let nature take its course? Do I try to find a rescue place?
I have nursed 4 grown ducks through broken legs and broken wings before, protecting them and feeding them until they were well enough to leave on their own accord, but a baby? I don't know what to do since his poor foot seems too far gone to save. On the other hand, he is surviving so well with his momma and siblings it doesn't seem right to take him away unless he gets older and cannot fend for himself.
Any thoughts would be appreciated. I have no clue about rescue places in the area and could not find a vet for ducks.
Thank you
There are some predators in the area and while some of the other babies have "disappeared" over night, she (aka Flipper) is always there and comes to visit everyday, swims fine etc. - but when she is bigger what if she cannot support herself? If its a male duck, that would be worse, because the males on the lake can be aggressive with eachother and I don't think he could really handle it with only one foot, running on his little "peg" with his foot flopping.
UGH - do I try to get friendly (there's a few who follow me) so if he/she needs help when its older, he will accept my help? Do I raise him starting now? Do I leave him alone and let nature take its course? Do I try to find a rescue place?
I have nursed 4 grown ducks through broken legs and broken wings before, protecting them and feeding them until they were well enough to leave on their own accord, but a baby? I don't know what to do since his poor foot seems too far gone to save. On the other hand, he is surviving so well with his momma and siblings it doesn't seem right to take him away unless he gets older and cannot fend for himself.
Any thoughts would be appreciated. I have no clue about rescue places in the area and could not find a vet for ducks.
Thank you
