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

[Amiga]

 

[LizD1]

After this past weekend I noticed that the duckling with the very weak right leg is much smaller than his sibling. I weighed them both and the smaller one is 92grams at 9 days old and his sibling is 153 grams. I worked long hours this past weekend and my husband cared for the ducks. Today i fed the little guy peas and cottage cheese separate from the other ducks. Any suggestions or advice?

 

[Amiga]

Have you given poultry vitamins with electrolytes and probiotics? I would give that once or twice a week for a couple of weeks.

 

[LizD1]

@Amiga I have been adding poultry drench, niacin or b complex to their water daily. I just went to tractor supply and picked up sav-a-chick probiotics. I wasn't sure if I should try them. I'll put those in the water too and see if that helps.
Thank you for your response! Let me know if you think of anything else!

Liz

 

[Amiga]

There could be a number of challenges for this little one. I would try to keep the basics covered, good food, fresh water, good bedding, secure environment, and add the supplements, not overdoing it, and just love them.

 

[LizD1]

Thanks @Amiga . I will do my best. This little duckling is easy to love

On a side note I really like and agree with your personal statement at the bottom of your posts.

 

[LizD1]

Update on my duck with the weak right leg. Despite vitamins, supplements, probiotics, splints, vet wrap, and physical therapy he only ever had minimal use of his leg. When his foot was splinted with a small plastic triangle and tape he could put weight on it and get around faster. He did start to fly. Unfortunately last Sunday we found him dead in the pool. We're not sure what happened. He had only been in the pool for 20 minutes and he had a ramp out and stones stacked up to rest on. He was a sweetheart and we loved every minute of his 11 weeks of life. He seemed pretty healthy right up to his death. He was always just about a week behind his siblings in development. He is the duck on the left in the picture.

 

[Amiga]

Update on my duck with the weak right leg. Despite vitamins, supplements, probiotics, splints, vet wrap, and physical therapy he only ever had minimal use of his leg. When his foot was splinted with a small plastic triangle and tape he could put weight on it and get around faster. He did start to fly. Unfortunately last Sunday we found him dead in the pool. We're not sure what happened. He had only been in the pool for 20 minutes and he had a ramp out and stones stacked up to rest on. He was a sweetheart and we loved every minute of his 11 weeks of life. He seemed pretty healthy right up to his death. He was always just about a week behind his siblings in development. He is the duck on the left in the picture.

Thank you for your compassion.

 

[LizD1]

@Amiga Thank you for your advice and encouragement when I was struggling with how to help my disabled duck. I may have been compassionate to my special duck and I gave him extra support, but he brought my family and I so much joy, love and fun.
I would do it all over again in a heartbeat!

 

[Amiga]