Backwards Leg

[Jess920]

Hey y’all. I have a duck named OwFred. I have had him since the end of August and he had a backwards leg. I got him from TSC and he hopped on his good leg but now he can’t bc he’s too big. I have tried making homemade wheelchairs for him and I fail. Over and over. He can’t get anywhere without my help and that’s fine too. I love him and hold him to flap his wings and we pretend he’s flying! What can I do to help him become mobile bc he’s getting skinny and I don’t want to make him suffer even if he makes all noises when I call his name and hold him. No get in my area sees exotic animals as they call it. Is it best to let them go or can someone help me make his life a happier place?

 

[Debbie292d]

Hey y’all. I have a duck named OwFred. I have had him since the end of August and he had a backwards leg. I got him from TSC and he hopped on his good leg but now he can’t bc he’s too big. I have tried making homemade wheelchairs for him and I fail. Over and over. He can’t get anywhere without my help and that’s fine too. I love him and hold him to flap his wings and we pretend he’s flying! What can I do to help him become mobile bc he’s getting skinny and I don’t want to make him suffer even if he makes all noises when I call his name and hold him. No get in my area sees exotic animals as they call it. Is it best to let them go or can someone help me make his life a happier place?

That's so sweet you are trying to give him his best life. Holding him up so he can flap his wings brings tears to my eyes. He does need that for his lungs as others get to flap and that opens up their lungs. His won't if he never gets to flap and that can lead to an easier time of getting respiratory issues. You're doing great for him.


Maybe because he can only use one leg, a wheelchair won't work for him or might take him a long time to get used to pulling his chair along with one leg. The other one-legged ducks I've seen did learn to just hop along with one leg though.

Maybe you could get him to exercise that one leg by putting him in a sling and helping him do little hops that way?

Here's a link to a thread of talking about wild ducks that have one leg. You're not alone at all and I think you'll figure out a way to make him happy and more self-sufficient.

 

[Jess920]

That's so sweet you are trying to give him his best life. Holding him up so he can flap his wings brings tears to my eyes. He does need that for his lungs as others get to flap and that opens up their lungs. His won't if he never gets to flap and that can lead to an easier time of getting respiratory issues. You're doing great for him.


Maybe because he can only use one leg, a wheelchair won't work for him or might take him a long time to get used to pulling his chair along with one leg. The other one-legged ducks I've seen did learn to just hop along with one leg though.

Maybe you could get him to exercise that one leg by putting him in a sling and helping him do little hops that way?

Here's a link to a thread of talking about wild ducks that have one leg. You're not alone at all and I think you'll figure out a way to make him happy and more self-sufficient.

OwFred passed a way this morning! I went to get him from his nest and he was gone.

 

[Debbie292d]

OwFred passed a way this morning! I went to get him from his nest and he was gone.

Oh my gosh, I am so so sorry!

You gave him a good life for the short one he had. He felt the love from you, so you should feel a little comfort in that. You did the best you could for him and he loved you for it.

 

[TwoCrows]

OwFred passed a way this morning! I went to get him from his nest and he was gone.

Oh gosh, I am so sorry Owfred is gone. Its never easy on the heart when they pass. You did all you could for the little one, he knows how much you loved him.

 

[alinas2010]

So sorry your duck passed. It was very kind of you to help him. He knew nothing but your love and kindness in his last days.

 

[Luv Ducks]

So sorry for the loss of OwFred. I know you tried your best and sometimes no matter how hard we try we still lose them. He was fortunate to have you care for him the way that you did.