Duckling born with weak right leg. 5 days old now, some improvement but still much weaker. ADVICE?

[LizD1]

I rescued wild duck eggs after their mother was killed and no organization would help. 2 survived. They had a difficult, long, assisted hatch. One was born with his right leg stuck flexed and his foot closed. (He had had his leg above his head in the shell.) I put a light brace on his foot to keep it open and began gently trying to extend the leg many times every day. I added B complex and poultry drench to his water. I bought 2 additional ducklings to keep them company. He has improved. His leg is less contracted, he puts weight on it sometimes. He uses it to scratch his face.
I want to know if there is anything else I can do?


Rear view from day 2 (joint & foot on the right)


Foot picture from last night


His resting stance from last night


Rear view from last night


Any help would be appreciated. Would straight Niacin be better than B complex to add to the water?

 

[happyhens1972]

I would 'treat' him for spraddle leg too....no medicines involved, just a manacle to pull his bad leg back under him so he can use it in the right position, allowing him to strengthen it up in the right way.

 

[LizD1]

@happyhens1972 Thanks for the reply. I did try following the directions for spraddle leg treatment on the chicken chick's website. I used vet wrap to link the strong and weak leg. Poor guy couldn't get around at all like that. He just fell over.

 

[happyhens1972]

They do need a little while to adjust to the manacles before they figure out the new centre of balance but he will get there x

 

[LizD1]

They do need a little while to adjust to the manacles before they figure out the new centre of balance but he will get there x

I will give it another shot then! Thanks for the advice

 

[Speceider]

I'd like a head profile pic....either your ducklings are golden eyes/buffleheads or domestics....very different care.

Clint

 

[LizD1]

I'd like a head profile pic....either your ducklings are golden eyes/buffleheads or domestics....very different care.

Clint

Hi Clint,
I will attach a few pics of the mystery babies. Their mother was dark brown with some black and gray. She had a very dark beak and black feet. She was about the size of a mallard. Also I live in southern Wisconsin.

the first 2 pictures are of the sibling. Let me know what you think. Thanks
liz

 

[Speceider]

It's a domestic, looks like a Swedish.

Clint

 

[LizD1]

It's a domestic, looks like a Swedish.
Clint

thanks for the input. I looked up that breed and the darker ones do look like the mother.

 

[LizD1]

I had the duckling with the weak right leg in warm water twice today for 10 minutes each time. After the baths I gently extended the leg backward and was able to straighten the leg more than ever before. I took vet wrap and wrapped the joint. Ducky wasn't happy during the leg extension, but he calms down quick and is bearing weight on the right leg more often.