Duck limping/hoping

[JinxieKat]

One of my Indian Runner girls, Cheesecake, apparently has sprained her right leg/foot. She is 12 weeks old. She can walk a bit on it, starts to limp, then eventually picks that foot off the ground and hops.

The last couple of days I have locked her and the other girls in the pen and let the 2 boys have free range of the yard. This allows her to have access to the pool, coop, and taller grass.

This happened on Saturday and when I noticed I immediately separated her from them. I think they got a little rough with her since they seem to fight/fuss over her more than any other girl I have at the moment.

Does anyone know how long I need to keep her separated from the boys to let her leg/foot heal?

 

[Abriana]

Does she maybe have bumbefoot? Here is what it looks like in a hen (above)

 

[JinxieKat]

No. There is no damage. I have checked. No sores, rips, or tears. Nothing seems broken either.

I will double check tonight when I get home from work though. I might have missed it.

I've been trying to make sure she stays in the pool or limits her walking. That she is eating and drinking normal too. She seems to be acting normal minus the limping and hoping.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Sometimes the drakes can cause it when breeding especially if not breeding in the pool One of my females limped around for about 3 weeks and I could find nothing wrong till I saw my big drake get her out of the pool, I did start them all on Nutritional yeast again when another female one of my Runners started limping we live on very uneven rocky steep ground and you know how Runners are can't keep them still But anyway after starting on the Nutritional yeast for about a week they both have gotten over their sprains most likely. Mine had no swelling or redness or heat any where on their leg they just had a limp. I actually give them Nutritional yeast a few times a week now just for leg support. Maybe rest and NY will help you duck. I def would keep her away from the drakes till she is healed.

 

[JinxieKat]

Nutritional yeast, is that something that I buy as a supplement like oyster shell or a specific food/brand??

If it's a supplement, do I just mix it in the food or put it in a separate bowl?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Nutritional yeast is similar to brewers yeast and you can by it a most natural food stores. What it has in it is Niacin which is what is important for leg health and other B vitamins too. Use 1 Tab per cup of feed for support and health. I buy off Amazon because I buy in bulk but I have bought it a Natural food stores too.

When you examine her today look for swelling redness and heat which can mean there is an infection You can soak her leg in warm Epsom salt water too I use a bucket and stick both legs in makes it easier you don't want them drinking the water it is also a laxative. Half cup of Epsom salt to 1 gal of warm water