Duck with broken leg plz help

[taylohol11]

We have seven ducks which are about 6 weeks old we have had them since they were ducklings and they love water and were moved to the pond about a month ago and just recently one of them has been hobbling around the pen and will not go in by it's self. Also its leg lookes like its gone to sleep and does not move. My parents say that if it dosn't get better we will eat it and I love this little duck I won't let that happen is there anything I can do like bandage her leg or give her some kind of medicin anyway hopefully you can help

Hollie xxx

 

[70%cocoa]

When you examine the duck does the leg obviously appear to be broken (rather than just strained)? Can you tell where the break is? Does the lower half of the leg seem like it still has blood circulating (e.g. is it somewhat warm, or does it seem totally cold and dead)? Is there any sign of infection (any swelling or a bad smell)? If the leg seems cold and dead or there is infection then it is a job for a vet.

But if you are sure your duck's leg is broken, rather than just strained, and there seems to be blood circulation and no infection and the break is recent, then perhaps it can be splinted and set.

Here's what Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks says about broken bones:

- treat broken bones within 24 hours after the accident (how long has your duck's leg been like this for?)
- gently pull apart the broken parts of the leg and align them in the normal position (sounds like this would hurt so I'd have someone hold the duck)
- Splint the leg using something straight and rigid - like two popsicle sticks. Put the supports on either side of the leg so they extend above and below the fracture. Hold them securely in place with strong tape (perhaps masking tape) wrapped around the popsicle sticks and the leg
- check the patient regularly to make sure the splint is staying in place and that blood is still circulating to the foot (feet the foot to see it's warm but not unusually hot compared to the other foot)
- splints can normally be removed in 14 to 28 days

 

[BayGoose]

Leg problems can be a sign of a niacin deficiency, which is fairly common with ducks. You can add niacin to their diets if that's the case. Or... some diseases in ducks can cause the loss of use of their legs. Hard to say without seeing it. Maybe it did truly injure itself. Do you see any wounds on it's leg? Does it look obviously broken or just limp? If it looks broken, you can splint it. But if it looks miserable and in pain, it would probably be best to cull it

Hope your duck gets better!

 

[taylohol11]

It has been about a week and because my parents didn't let me splint the leg it has mended but in the wrong place now it's straight in one place and the duck cannot walk properly

The duck does not seem to be in pain and is eating and drinking regularly

My mum says btw she's no expert on ducks but she says that we are going to have to break the ducks leg and then splint it do you think this would be ok if not can you please give an alternative

 

[70%cocoa]

If its been a week then the bone will have set. Bird bones heal more than twice as fast as ours (takes 6 weeks for human bone to mend but only 2-3 weeks for birds). I would not break the leg yourselves. You may sever nerves, not to mention it being incredibly painful.

If the duck can walk well enough to get its own food and water then I would leave the leg to heal fully on its own. The other option is to take it to a vet for assessment.

 

[taylohol11]

So if we leave the leg will it go back to normal on its own

Btw: the duck does not seem to be in pain and is alright with me turning his leg around and bending his foot back and forward also she can walk but hobbles around on one leg but can still lean on the other leg when she's standing still she is eating normally and drinking

My only concern is that she will fall in the water what do you think I should do about this should I move her

 

[70%cocoa]

At this stage I'd let the leg heal up by itself without intervening. It might not knit together as straight as the other leg, but the bone should fuse and be fully healed in another couple of weeks.

I'd probably make sure any water containers are low sided and very easy to get out of. You are right to consider that as an issue.

It's good that she's not in obvious pain. Great to hear that she is doing normal things like eating and drinking. Is she also preening herself?

 

[taylohol11]

I'm not quite sure about the preening itself because I'm at school most of the time but I do notice that her feathers on her tail are very dirty I thought it was because she sits down most of the time also there is another place we can put her which is away from the water but I have noticed her swimming with her other ducks and she can get out of the water but does wobble a bit but can turn around by herself so should I bring her away from the water or leave her with the other ducks

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