Duck with weird legs

[Wannabe NE Farmer]

I am a first time duck owner (we have chickens), and when we purchased 2 ducklings at TSC, they threw in a free little guy, saying he had splayed legs and just looking for a good home. He’s around 2-3 weeks old. Since we got home, I’ve been trying to research if there’s anything I can do to help him improve it just live a happy life. He’s a happy little guy so far, eats, drinks, and stays with the other 2 the best he can. He waddles/scoots on his hock joints. He lays down as much as possible, and when eating/drinking. He loves to swim, but tires easily. He has been on Purina Flock Raiser at TSC and since I brought him home. According to the website and what I can find, it has adequate amounts of Niacin for ducklings. Even so, I have been giving him 1/2 dropper of B vitamin complex (10mg Niacin). I’ve been trying to get him in the pool a couple times a day, because I read that can help with leg issues. Does this look like a lack of Niacin, and if so, how can it be if he was on a food with adequate niacin? Is this leg problem something different? Does anyone know if
I should try anything else? A splint or banding? Also, what about prognosis? We are just in this backyard chicken/duck thing as a hobby and farm-like experience for our children (we also have 2 special needs chickens, albeit not this severe), so it’s pretty small scale and we give extra attention and coddling when necessary. I’d love to see him get better (if this is even a niacin deficiency), but if he doesn’t, can he survive like this, or will he be in pain his whole life? Thanks so much for any help you can provide!

 

[HeatherKellyB]

@Isaac 0
@Miss Lydia

Tagging some folks in hopes of getting their thoughts on this. I wish you and your precious little duckling the very best

 

[Heidi Sartori]

I am a first time duck owner (we have chickens), and when we purchased 2 ducklings at TSC, they threw in a free little guy, saying he had splayed legs and just looking for a good home. He’s around 2-3 weeks old. Since we got home, I’ve been trying to research if there’s anything I can do to help him improve it just live a happy life. He’s a happy little guy so far, eats, drinks, and stays with the other 2 the best he can. He waddles/scoots on his hock joints. He lays down as much as possible, and when eating/drinking. He loves to swim, but tires easily. He has been on Purina Flock Raiser at TSC and since I brought him home. According to the website and what I can find, it has adequate amounts of Niacin for ducklings. Even so, I have been giving him 1/2 dropper of B vitamin complex (10mg Niacin). I’ve been trying to get him in the pool a couple times a day, because I read that can help with leg issues. Does this look like a lack of Niacin, and if so, how can it be if he was on a food with adequate niacin? Is this leg problem something different? Does anyone know if
I should try anything else? A splint or banding? Also, what about prognosis? We are just in this backyard chicken/duck thing as a hobby and farm-like experience for our children (we also have 2 special needs chickens, albeit not this severe), so it’s pretty small scale and we give extra attention and coddling when necessary. I’d love to see him get better (if this is even a niacin deficiency), but if he doesn’t, can he survive like this, or will he be in pain his whole life? Thanks so much for any help you can provide!

He is like my two babies. We used finger braces and self adhesive tape. We let them go without their brace every three or four days. They are straightening out.

 

[Heidi Sartori]

Spread the foot flat and tape it with the self adhesive tape. You can yours cardboard, paper plates or guitar pics. The ankle is in a good position. If you don’t use a guitar pic trace the foot on to what you use. Our babies had bad ankles too. They need the extra support and brace to learn to hold the whole leg position.

 

[Heidi Sartori]

I looked back at the pic and he may have issues with both feet. Try it with both. They do get around better with the braces.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Also keep on with the liquid B complex Flock raiser doesn't have enough to support all ducklings some need more.
@Heidi Sartori has given wonderful advice. Follow Asap you may need to hobble too just see how they are doing after you do the above.

 

[Wannabe NE Farmer]

I looked back at the pic and he may have issues with both feet. Try it with both. They do get around better with the braces.

@Heidi Sartori @Miss Lydia i tried to do that bracing for his feet, but he just sat on the hock joint and lifted his feet on the air… and they fell off. Should the cardboard be bigger than his foot fully spread out? But the problem is more than just his feet… he walks on his hocks with his feet above the ground. He can actually waddle around fairly well like this, and I built a ramp from a yoga mat and he can get out of the pool by himself with the ramp. Is there a way to brace his whole legs (it is both legs and they are identical). He is still growing so I worry as he gets heavier that it will really hurt him to walk like that. Do I need to take him to a vet? But I don’t think they will know what to do with him…

 

[casportpony]

Do I need to take him to a vet?

yes, I think you need to take it to a vet.

 

[Miss Lydia]

It would have to be an avian vet. As he grows and uses his hocks to get aound he will do damage to his legs and skin. The cardboard does need to be bigger but not much then lay his feet flat out on it and wrap.
Do the legs bend at all into a normal standing position? If so you might be able to splint.

 

[Miss Lydia]

https://www.handicappedpets.com/walkin-wheels-duck-wheelchair/

just some thoughts.