Deficiency/deformed duckling?

[RosemaryDuck]

Hey all, posting again with another rescue.

I recently took in some 'wild' (invasive) Muscovy ducklings that were abandoned during a massive storm we just had. They were just hatched but abandoned by mom, and attempts at a reunion did not work.

One seems to be having some sort of issue. I gave them all nutridrench & a nicain supplement directly and they are in a hospital bird brooder at 95 degrees. This one duckling walks with a very prominent hunch (little butt in the air) and struggles to stand/walk properly. His legs do stay straight underneath him when he stands, so I know it's not splay leg or a slipped tendon. He also has a pretty big bruise on his bill. He eats & drinks just fine.

Just wondering if there's anything else I can do for this little one (besides the supplements) or if this is likely just a deformity. Thanks for any advice!

 

[ruthhope]

@RosemaryDuck Thank you for rescuing the little muscovy ducklings. I'm in NE Florida and I also rescue ducks. I currently have three muscovy rescued in 2021 as ducklings that cannot be released. I found a lake entirely on private land on which my friend -- a local wildlife rehabber -- and I released 8 muscovies; and a retention pond in a gated development with backyards onto the pond and homeowners wanting ducks -- where we released 3 females and a drake, in the spring. Finding legal places to release is very difficult in Florida

Please can you post a photograph of your new little one with the apparent back problem?

Thank you

 

[RosemaryDuck]

@RosemaryDuck Thank you for rescuing the little muscovy ducklings. I'm in NE Florida and I also rescue ducks. I currently have three muscovy rescued in 2021 as ducklings that cannot be released. I found a lake entirely on private land on which my friend -- a local wildlife rehabber -- and I released 8 muscovies; and a retention pond in a gated development with backyards onto the pond and homeowners wanting ducks -- where we released 3 females and a drake, in the spring. Finding legal places to release is very difficult in Florida

Please can you post a photograph of your new little one with the apparent back problem?

Thank you

Sure! I'll take a few pictures after dinner. It isn't very apparent unless he's actively walking, so it may be hard to see.

 

[Miss Lydia]

95 is awfully high heat for ducklings. 85 is better for newly hatched. Since it has a bruised bill maybe the little one got trampled. Possibly injured?

 

[RosemaryDuck]

95 is awfully high heat for ducklings. 85 is better for newly hatched. Since it has a bruised bill maybe the little one got trampled. Possibly injured?

Oh, I'll turn it down! I had it a bit high because they were soaked from the storm and shaking.

 

[RosemaryDuck]

Got some pictures. Excuse the blurriness, the brooder only has a small light inside so is difficult to get good pictures in.

He's asleep in the first picture, but that's how he stands/walks.

(And of course, they tumbled through the food/water right after I cleaned ).

 

[Miss Lydia]

Do you think he maybe injured?

 

[RosemaryDuck]

Do you think he maybe injured?

It's possible his mom trampled him during the storm, but I have no idea since they're wild and I didn't see .

He's doing well otherwise, eating and drinking and very lively. So I'm hoping it's temporary.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I hope so too. They sure are tiny little ones. Glad you have them.

 

[RosemaryDuck]

Update: The little guy seems to be doing much better today. I think it was likely he was sore or bruised. He's still walking a bit weird but isn't all hunched up anymore. Thanks everyone that answered!