Cross post - injured duck?

[Miss Lydia]

It's amazing how they can turn around so fast once we figure out what the problem is. What feed did this vet rec? and what vitamins?
Thanks for the update sure hope now that you know what is going on she begins to make steady progress on healing.

 

[BrukeyBrooke]

It's amazing how they can turn around so fast once we figure out what the problem is. What feed did this vet rec? and what vitamins?
Thanks for the update sure hope now that you know what is going on she begins to make steady progress on healing.

He recommended any old cat food crumbled up, just about 15-20% of the total. He didn’t say a specific vitamin but explained that the feed I use is 1. made for all waterfowl, thus not optimized for ducks, and 2. likely doesn’t have much vitamin content by the bottom of the bag. I buy a large bag too. Darn it!

He said he’s seen this a handful of times over the years, including with his own ducks. The first time he saw it, he sought others’ advice and ultimately culled that one. The necropsy was negative. So when another of his ducks started to go lame, he started researching and experimenting to save her. This is what he was able to figure out. He said all but one have bounced back, including one duck whose owner had tried to nurse her back to health for over a month before calling.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Well we have proven the B complex is one that works to heal niacin deficiencies. And supports leg health. Hopefully you’ll be able to help her through this and she’ll be right as rain very soon. Please keep us updated on how she is progressing.

 

[BrukeyBrooke]

This is a frustrating situation to be in after researching feeds and deciding on one designed for waterfowl, believing it would (should?) have everything they need. I will keep y’all posted.

Thanks again for the ducky community!

 

[Miss Lydia]

So the vet is saying that waterfowl specific feed isn't what you should be feeding your ducks? What does he rec. then. I have a mixed flock so I feed chicken feed and haven't ever had a problem with it. I do add Nutritional yeast to their feed.

 

[BrukeyBrooke]

So the vet is saying that waterfowl specific feed isn't what you should be feeding your ducks? What does he rec. then. I have a mixed flock so I feed chicken feed and haven't ever had a problem with it. I do add Nutritional yeast to their feed.

I think what’s he’s getting at is that feed isn’t “set it and forget it.” He was emphasizing the importance of supplementing with vitamins because ducks need more than geese, in my case. I need to get back in the habit of adding the nutritional yeast. I’m always diligent when I have littles, and then they get ful grown and I think “waterfowl food should have everything they need.”

 

[BrukeyBrooke]

Elsa is on the mend. I still have her separated, inside the run during the day and coop at night, such that she can see and hear the rest of the flock. She’s doing really well aside from from poultry politics. For some reason the alpha female (as best I can tell) keeps starting squabbles with her ringside. I am now dreading reintroducing Elsa eventually. But she actually pushed back with her lame foot tonight when I picked her up to move her. That’s the best I have seen in nearly two weeks!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Great news!! keep up the good work. Hopefully by the time Elsa is ready to go back with her flock hormones will have calmed down. My Muscovy females have finally been able to sleep together without squabbles thank goodness.

 

[BrukeyBrooke]

Great news!! keep up the good work. Hopefully by the time Elsa is ready to go back with her flock hormones will have calmed down. My Muscovy females have finally been able to sleep together without squabbles thank goodness.

I didn’t even think of that!