Duck Addicts Anonymous (DAA)

[CrazyChicken Lady]

I have definitely had my share of Bumble problems! I’ve got to change my run to grass.

 

[CoriM]

How often do these bigger breeds deal with bumblefoot or other leg/joint/bone/weight bearing issues? I haven't been giving my babies free feed quite a much as I did with the welshies because I'm not butchering any of them. Will they be more prone to these and other issues because of their size?

Not necessarily - I think it depends on the bird. Two of my three pekins have not had any bumblefoot (except a tiny one caught early on when she was still only a few months old) or leg problems (not counting the splay leg she had when she was a baby, which was corrected and she's been fine ever since).

 

[CoriM]

@Everose And I would say that I've never withheld feed from my pekins - two of them are naturally a little smaller than the third, but I think they just eat more than the smaller breeds because that's the way their bodies are.

 

[Quatie]

@Quatie Do you have all runners? This is my first experience with them. My neighbor keeps them and I think they're so cute. My fawn and white one has the funniest personality, I just love their look!

I have a variety of ducks. Runners, khaki Campbell, Pekin, Saxony, Cayuga, swedish, Welsh harlequin, and Muscovy. Runners are pretty cute! They have a lot of personality. I have one who is very dedicated to eating any bug in site. They are a little less social, but always happy to eat treats from my hands.

 

[CoriM]

@HeatherKellyB Were you thinking of getting call ducks Heather? I thought you mentioned it awhile ago....

 

[KaleIAm]

How often do these bigger breeds deal with bumblefoot or other leg/joint/bone/weight bearing issues? I haven't been giving my babies free feed quite a much as I did with the welshies because I'm not butchering any of them. Will they be more prone to these and other issues because of their size?

My crested pekin had so many leg/joint/bumblefoot/arthritis issues that I will likely never have another large duck. My lighter ducks still don't have those issues.

She did have the best personality.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

@HeatherKellyB Were you thinking of getting call ducks Heather? I thought you mentioned it awhile ago....

I did hatch some Calls I've got 6 Calls, 6 Aztec's, and a lone Australian Spotted Duck since this Spring. All bantam ducks. I was hoping to keep one duck flock, but I'm going to keep my bigs and Littles separate. I worry about my big drakes harming my little duck hens and even the drakes come Spring. My ratios aren't ideal in any of them, but I imagine it wouldn't take much to throw off any balance in the big flock with Pekin hen, (I've suspected white layer with her since she's not nearly as large as my Pekin drake and she's much lighter, almost yellow instead of orange bill and legs) Buff Duck hen, Pekin drake, and Cayuga drake. With the Littles, I also have too many boys but I figured I'd wait and see how things go come Spring. There are 7 girls to 6 drakes in the Bantams. I've said it before, I will add runners someday. I love their look and silly personalities! There are so many ducks I want. An addict is never satisfied

 

[HeatherKellyB]

My crested pekin had so many leg/joint/bumblefoot/arthritis issues that I will likely never have another large duck. My lighter ducks still don't have those issues.

She did have the best personality.

I remember her having such a difficult time. You gave her wonderful care though. She was lucky to have you.

I feel like Honey Boo Boo possibly had septic arthritis in the beginning. I immediately thought it was bumblefoot but I was unable to find a wound of any kind. I did end up getting quite a bit of pus from around her ankle joint. After this, the bumblefoot started. It would heal, at least I thought, only to return again. From Feb 2020 until finally deciding to make the trip and take her to an Avian vet on Oct 22, it was always something. After that vet said the only option was euthanasia, I couldn't accept that. I decided extreme measures were necessary and altered her treatment. Her infection was gone by Nov 2020. Sadly she has lasting damage, bone erosion. As long as I keep her foot bandaged, she doesn't get any scrapes, she's good. I don't know if septic arthritis happens in any other breed as often as it does in larger breeds, like Pekins. @Everose

 

[HeatherKellyB]

@3xhhheather wasn't it you that introduced me to the septic arthritis diagnosis? I apologize if I'm wrong but the more I think about it, it seems like it was you.

 

[CoriM]

@HeatherKellyB I'd love to see pictures of your calls!