Crippled Duck

[ElizabethJP]

Hi everyone,
I am very new to ducks. I just rescued a young crippled Pekin duck. I have no idea what I'm doing but can learn quickly! He was in a terrible situation so I felt compelled to try to help him. Does anyone have experience with crippled ducks? I really don't even know the basics for duck care so would love some resources. Right now I have the duck in our laundry room in a kiddie pool with bedding in the bottom. I have a shallow container of water in there. I bought duck food and know to mix it with water. Tomorrow I will be buying some supplements that were recommended-niacin and brewers yeast.. I have offered very tiny sliced vegetables and fruits that I found on a duck website. Anything else ducks particularly like?
I have so many questions regarding care-how often should I let duck splash in shallow warm tub water? Is there a way to test for salmonella or treat salmonella? How often do young ducks eat? Should he be alright to sleep through the night in the kiddie pool with bedding? What does everyone keep their ducks in? When he grows he probably won't be able to be a yard duck because he is crippled... how do duck diapers work? Where would he be happiest?
He isn't able to bare weight on his legs at all, they just splay out right now. He can move them though. He isn't very mobile. Before I rescued him a woman took him to the vet and they were told he would probably die in a few months from infection? He is able to stand if I help support him, I've began researching duck wheelchairs (ha! Had no idea that was a thing) and I think those could help. I've read ducks aren't very happy unless they're in a flock so now I'm also concerned about his long term happiness. Lol. Can anyone help me? He's such a sweet duckling I at least want to do my best to give him a chance at a happy life. Thank you!!

 

[mlh328]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1136769/ducks-with-special-needs

Here's a thread to check out. I don't have experience with this sort of thing but I've seen people suggest making shoes before. What a sweet little face! You're sweet to step up to the plate for the little one!

 

[mlh328]

Also wanted to add that a shatter proof mirror and a stuffed animal for him to snuggle would be good so he doesn't get so lonely. You'll want to keep food and water available at all times until he's older. Mine LOVE frozen peas, thawed in warm water, you could chop them up, also meal worms and chopped hard boiled eggs. When mine were real little I kept them in a high walled plastic tote with a heat lamp to keep warm and dry straw for bedding. I think the brewers yeast is a source of niacin so you wouldn't need to get both. You can let him swim with supervision in warm water but don't let him get water logged, he could drown or get too cold, help him dry off when he's done. That might help strengthen his legs also. Good luck!!

 

[ElizabethJP]

Thank you so much! I will look for a mirror and some toys. I'll also start browsing through that thread. I really appreciate your reply!

 

[mlh328]

You're welcome, glad to help!

 

[Ravynscroft]

so sweet of you!

Hydrotherapy may be one of the best things for him, so anytime you can get him in warm water in a warm room and dry him afterwards, I would be doing it... deep enough water for his legs to not touch bottom and you'll need to keep him supported throughout, but that *might* encourage leg usage and strengthening... maybe make a sling for him???

He may do just fine in the yard during the day, once he gets older, you never know, ducks are resilient... and once he has his wing feathers in, those will play a major part in helping him balance, steer, etc...

I have a one legged Call duck myself... Peg is super spoiled and has a very full and enriched life... it is possible, but just be prepared, heartbreak is possible as well...

 

[alisfirefly]

You might be able to fix him with the Niacin. I wasn't able to but I read you can if you get it to them quick enough in enough quantity. I wouldn't worry about finding a 'duck' friend until you see if he survives. They need lots of water. Don't let him get fat.. they are food production breeds and weight will hurt him. Good luck

 

[mlh328]

@ElizabethJP how's that baby doing? Hoping you've had some luck and found some good answers!

 

[ElizabethJP]

Thank you so much for checking on us! Our sweet duckling is doing well! We've been supplementing with a lot of the recommended supplements. I made a little sling in hopes that that will help strengthen legs. We also let duckling swim a few times a day in bathtub. Ducky is finally able to independently balance on one leg very well which seems to make he/she happy-he/she is able to shake around and flap wings and stretch.

We contacted a Michigan duck sanctuary (we're in Washington state so it's quite far) and they are willing to adopt he/she. We love this sweet duckling so much but are afraid we won't be able to give Best life possible? The sanctuary is for injured or disabled ducks. They have a lot in similar situations and think a vet may be able to intervene in our ducklings case and help (at their expense)! We would deliver ducky to Michigan if that's what we decide to do. It's hard to let this sweet duckling go, but we ultimately want him/her to be as happy as possible. I am so worried duckling is lonely. I've been playing as many duck videos as I can find on internet for it.

Duckling has a stuffed duck that he/she snuggles with at all times-when I play duck videos he/she is talking right back at them. Our 3-year-old daughter absolutely adores tthe duckling and has been such a help. She literally can spend hours entertaining it with songs and quiet games. I think ducky has "chosen" her as his/her person. She doesn't try to touch ducky at all (im the one always prodding and trying to clean it) so ducky isn't at all afraid of her. He/she actually seeks her out to try to cuddle with which is so sweet anytime our daughter comes in ducky starts happily chatting away.. It's really hard to decide what is ultimately bestt.
I don't know if getting a second duck would be feasible for us right now. Ultimately our goal is to save/make this duck as happy as can be and as functional as can be. We're willing to keep ducky but I'm just afraid he/she will be lonely. Right now our schedule is pretty open, so I have ample time to spend with this sweet little duck, but as life goes I worry ducky will be lonely or unhappy if we can't keep up this nice rhythm we've already set. So we're currently trying to decide if we take a trip to the Michigan duck sanctuary next week

 

[Ravynscroft]

Whichever you decide, I have no doubt ducky will have a good life... sounds like ducky has imprinted on your daughter as well... while being alone is not the first choice, many ducks have imprinted and been quite happy with their chosen humans... another thought is, once ducky is a bit older and more secure with him/herself, you could try introducing a younger duckling companion... I wouldn't try an older one or even one same age as they tend to have difficulties accepting a disabled duck, but younger ones can be quite accepting... I recently adopted a one-eyed Call duckling, and the ones her age wouldn't have anything to do with her... so I put her with 4 younger ones... they bonded immediately and are best buddies even now... they always come back to her if they leave her behind and she is their fearless leader when it comes to new things... good luck to you, and thank you for taking ducky in...