Bored Duck

[Chickenfeeder22]

Really need some quick advice. I have a disabled duck. I don't know exactly if she was born disabled or if she had a case of splayed leg that went untreated. Either way, she can't walk. So she lives in the house in a little box (much like a homemade cage). We had to put wire around the box because we also have indoor cats. We keep her in the main living room where people are walking through all day long to try to keep her stimulated and most days I take her out to swim in a little pool for about an hour.
However, with winter coming and the weather getting colder it is getting harder for me to take her out to swim. I think she is getting really bored. Is there anything I can do indoors to keep her stimulated during the long winter months coming up? Preferably things within the box just because I get paranoid with the cats around.

Also, any ideas of how I can take her out of the house more for errands and such? Because most people don't keep/have disabled ducks that can't walk it is really hard trying to google this stuff. Any and all advice is appreciated!

 

[thumper650]

I freeze mealworms or peas in a plastic bowl of water. It takes time to release the treats. I call them boredom busters, and use them for my ducks a lot. She may play with baby toys, like shiny hangy things, obviously nothing that can come apart and choked on.
My ducks refuse to play with toys, unless they dispense food!

 

[Jpat]

Can you post a picture or video of her? so we can see just how disabled she is?


My duck liked when i took him in the car, i used a rubbbermaid container with a 3 inch hole in the lid, He had room to lay down and sleep or pop his head out the hole and yell at me

 

[Miss Lydia]

How about adding a mirror to her area. My ducks love looking at themselves. That would be one way to stimulate her. Hang a head of romaine lettuce and let her pick it apart herself.

 

[sourland]

Can you give her a daily swim in the bath tub ?

 

[Duckfarmer1]

Can you give her a daily swim in the bath tub ?

Or even, if you get the Rubbermaid tote to take her in the car, you can use that to give her a little bath, just to clean herself if you’re not digging the idea of her in your tub.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I used an under bed storage container put it in the bath tub and put the duck in it . It will have enough warm water for bathing and is easy to clean out.

 

[Duckfarmer1]

I used an under bed storage container put it in the bath tub and put the duck in it . It will have enough warm water for bathing and is easy to clean out.

Miss Lydia AlWAYS knows what to do!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Not really but for a disabled duck or duckling having a small amount of water maybe better than it being too deep if they can't float well. They can lay in the water and splash to their hearts content.

 

[Chickenfeeder22]

I freeze mealworms or peas in a plastic bowl of water. It takes time to release the treats. I call them boredom busters, and use them for my ducks a lot. She may play with baby toys, like shiny hangy things, obviously nothing that can come apart and choked on.
My ducks refuse to play with toys, unless they dispense food!

That's a great idea! Thank you! I started putting veggie pieces in her water for her to pick out and she seems to like that!