Call Duck suddenly fell while flying

[acet400]

Hi everyone,

One of our call duck females (about 7 months old) was flying around the yard and suddenly fell to the ground (no predators, sunny weather, not windy). She was limp but breathing, unable to stand or hold her head up for about 15-20 minutes. No visible injuries. We brought her inside during this time, put her in a box and gradually she was able to stand and hold her head up again. She's quiet in the box right now, standing. Normally she might start calling for the other ducks, but hasn't done that yet. She did drink some water. I'm wracking my brain as to what may have happened. As it's Sunday we plan to take her into the vet ASAP once open tomorrow, otherwise there is an emergency vet about a two hour drive. Does this seem like an emergency? Has anyone ever experienced something like this? Any other thoughts on what to watch for? Thank you in advance...

 

[KaleIAm]

Wow, that sounds very scary. I don't have calls, but if the equivalent happened to one of my ducks (suddenly collapsing while walking) I would go to the ER - no question.

My ducks are precious pets to me, though. I'm always extra cautious with them. I try to consider the worst situation if I don't take them to the vet compared to the worst situation if I do - often that makes the choice more clear.

Hopefully someone else will be along with some idea of what these symptoms are.

 

[Quatie]

@shawluvsbirds and @Overo Mare both have call ducks and may have some ideas what happened.

@Miss Lydia or @Crazy Maizie may have some ideas as well. They don't have call ducks, but they do have Muscovy which can fly.

If @Isaac 0 is around, he would likely have a good idea what may have happened as well.

I would keep up what you are doing and keep the duck in a quiet and warm place to recoup. Hopefully she will start feeling better soon.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I hate to say watch and wait especially if she is recuperating. But I would feel terrible telling you this and something was to happen. So I'll just say go with your gut. And hope these members who have Calls are on.
I'm glad to hear she is at least standing and has had water.

 

[FunnyfarmMidwest]

I have 23 free range call ducks and a pair of Black East Indies. They are constantly flying. If it is too windy or a bird scares them, I have had them crash before. My favorite little black call drake crashed, broke his neck upon landing and passed away. I have also had one larger drake that crashed, limped for a day or so, then fully recovered so it’s hard to say.


I’m not sure what to do in your situation but I will say a prayer for your hen. The best advice I can give is to monitor her closely till you decide upon your next step.

 

[acet400]

Thanks for the replies so far! She is still quiet, but she quacks at my daughter when she sees her. We tried pulling her out of the box just to see if she was able to walk—she is, but slightly off balance. She also hasn't yet straightened out her neck (she keeps her head tucked down on her body).

 

[acet400]

I have 23 free range call ducks and a pair of Black East Indies. They are constantly flying. If it is too windy or a bird scares them, I have had them crash before. My favorite little black call drake crashed, broke his neck upon landing and passed away. I have also had one larger drake that crashed, limped for a day or so, then fully recovered so it’s hard to say.


I’m not sure what to do in your situation but I will say a prayer for your hen. The best advice I can give is to monitor her closely till you decide upon your next step.

How awful about your black call drake! I'm so sorry to hear that. Honestly when ours land they tumble and roll half the time and it scares me.

Thank you for praying! I wish it were easier to know what to do in these situations.

 

[Miss Lydia]

When she hit the ground how did she land? She may have injured her neck

 

[acet400]

When she hit the ground how did she land? She may have injured her neck

So we didn't see her make impact because a building/fencing impeded our line of vision at that point. She was looking like she was landing at maybe 4-6 ft high. My daughter got to her first and said she was lying on the ground in upright position, frozen, wings out. She said her neck was slightly tilted at that point. And then it tilted more when they brought her in, until she straightened up again about 15-20 min later.

 

[acet400]

Also regarding her neck, she can move her head side to side and can stretch forward. We're watching to see if she can move it straight up.

She is also calling for her friends now.