Birdydeb
Songster
I have a little ducking that will be 2 weeks old tomorrow. I had noticed for the past week that she was a lot smaller than the others but just assumed she was a runt. Last night she could barely hold her head up and I rushed to get some Nutri-Drench and water in her. Also got just a bit of mashed up egg in her. I couldn't figure out what the heck was wrong with her and was frantically searching this site. Just before I put her up for the night I realized from watching her....she can't see!
I can wave my hand in front of her, she doesn't react but she does react to sounds...she jumps. She was alive and about 50% better this morning. I made her a mash of egg and her feed. She was slowly slurping it up from a spoon. I syringed some water to her and she is resting. Any other suggestions? She does not have a full crop yet but it now has some food in it. I figured I would take it slowly with hand feeding her some mash and would try to keep her hydrated. Her "hospital" brooder is sitting on a heating pad and the temp is 80. Should I try to get it around 85? I am really kicking myself that I didn't realize her problem sooner but I just assumed she was a runt and would catch up.
Thanks for any advice or help. Of all the animals I have nursed, a blind duckling is a first. As with all the others: as long as she fights, I fight.
Eta: also I have an Avi-Temp panel from nursing sick parrots, should I use that as a heat source for her? Can't even think right now how to explain the type heat it is. It proved to be too hot for chicks when I tried that is why I am hesitant and went for the heating pad.


Eta: also I have an Avi-Temp panel from nursing sick parrots, should I use that as a heat source for her? Can't even think right now how to explain the type heat it is. It proved to be too hot for chicks when I tried that is why I am hesitant and went for the heating pad.
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