Duck wont walk-HELP-what's wrong with her?

[daze333]

I have 12 indian runner ducks. They are all last year's hatch and some are starting to lay. I have one hen who I found sitting on the ground and everyone else walking around and stepping on her! I spread some hay today because we have about 6 inches of snow and it's 27 degrees right now. She was on the hay near the food and water. Could this have to do with the cold?

I picked her up and she does move her legs to struggle, but cannot or wont stand up. I brought her inside and put her in the tub with very shallow cool, then luke warm water just in case her legs are cold. Her feet feel warm to the touch but legs felt cold. She sits in the water with her legs out behind. What do I do?

Sherry

 

[easttxchick]

Quote:
I wish I could help, but I'm not familiar with runners at all.
I can only tell you that I would bring her in and keep her warm and where I could watch her.
Try looking up Niacin deficiency on here and see if that can help you.
Sorry, I sure hope someone can come along with some advice for you.
Good luck!

 

[duckyfromoz]

It may be a muscle strain - further compounded by the fact the others were all walking over the top of her and the colder weather.

Is she one of the ducks that have just started laying??
Is it possible that she is egg bound??
Being that she is young- its still very cold out and that egg laying does take extra nutrients- she may benefit from having vitamins added to the water.

Other than that- it may be something she has eaten. It doesnt sound like the actual feed given - as more ducks would likely be poorly as well- but rather something she has picked up somewhere.

 

[daze333]

She seems pretty alert and quacks very softly when I come in. I drained the water and put her on a towel. I heard her stomach gurgling kinda like ours does when we have diarrhea. I will give her vitamins in her water. Should I try some molasses for a flush? Does that work with ducks?

 

[daze333]

Yes I am guessing it one of the hens that just started laying. She is one of the oldest group.

 

[daze333]

Yes I think she is a layer, her pelvic bones are pretty wide. I felt her underbelly and it is soft right in front of the pelvic bones. I don't think she is egg bound. Would stomach problems make her not walk?

 

[sawmane1]

Could she have hurt herself like riped a tendon or fallen hard?

 

[daze333]

She is in a 24x20 fenced and netted pen with 11 other runners. There is a kiddie pool, but they generally do not go in there when it is frozen, like now. So I am not sure how she would have hurt herself? There are not deep holes, steep hills or other obstacles. The only thing I can think of is a drake breeding her roughly? The rest of her body looks good, wings intact, no missing feathers on head etc. I have 3 drakes to 9 hens.

 

[daze333]

PS both legs seem equal. She will paddle them weakly, then stretch them behind her. She doesn't get them under herself. She seems to have the same strength or lack of in each leg. No visible marks, scratches etc on body or legs.

 

[duckyfromoz]

It may be that a day or twos rest away from the others is all she needs to recover. If it were a slipped tendon or dislocation- she most likely would be favoring one leg- not experiencing the same weakness. I think it may be most likely something she has eaten- lead poisoning can leave a duck lame. Or it could just be something that will pass through her quickly and she will be fine again.

Is she currently eating?

Have you notice what her droppings look like?