Duckling hatched with Wry Neck, Trouble Standing

[NancysChickens]

I recently hatched some Pekin ducks, all went well except for one that I had to hand-hatch. Sadly he/she hatched with a very twisted neck, likely congenital. Eventually the little guy managed to get up on his feet. The problem is he's very crunched up, he isn't fully extending his legs and is tilted to the right due to that twisted neck. He's eating and drinking, but if he falls over, he ends up on his back and has a hard time getting upright. I check them all the time, but twice I have found the little tot fast asleep on his back. They have been on Electrolytes with vitamins and probiotics since they hatched. I have even been giving them some fresh parsley from the garden. I don't see much improvement in this poor wee duckling. Any suggestions?

 

[casportpony]

Can you post some pictures?

 

[guardianoftheflock]

I hate to say it but if his neck is really deformed like that then he most likely won't be able to eat. He would probably starve if you don't put him down. I would get more than just my opinion befire making a discision to cull him though. Could you post a picture?

 

[NancysChickens]

This is the little guy in the front. He is eating and drinking OK. I think he needs pontoons to stay upright though.

 

[NancysChickens]

You can see he lists to the right. I felt that neck and it is very kinked.

 

[guardianoftheflock]

You can see he lists to the right. I felt that neck and it is very kinked.View attachment 1798765

Well, that's good. Maybe with time he'll get better. I'm sorry I can't offer you any other advice! I would just keep an eye on him to make sure he's eating and drinking enough. I lost a chick because I didn't realize she wasn't eating enough. She had an offset beak and we tried feeding her with a syringe but she didn't make it. I hope your little guy gets better! They are all very adorable. I have a thing for ducklings!

 

[Miss Lydia]

I’d def. get this little one and the rest on a niacin supplement ASAP they need it for leg strength and it can help in other ways too. Nutritional yeast 1 Tab over each cup of feed you provide or TSC and get liquid BComplex which may help your little one faster. It’s in the cattle section an will say injectable but just peel the foil off and use a 1 ml dropper out the 1 ml over something yummy like smashed peas or dried meal worms and that way they get full dose this is what you want they have changed the label but still the same product.

 

[NancysChickens]

OK, I'll get some. I was just at TSC the other day and I won't be back until next Thurs (I am a distance from it). Perhaps Amazon has it. I am starting to feel like this little guy may not make it. Today he seems to be flipping over more and can't get off his back. I guess time will tell. Thank you for your advice, I'll keep you updated.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I actually ordered off Amazon because TSC isn’t close to me either. I hope the little one makes it. Looking at the pics it didn’t look to bad. You can also make a donut out of a towel and put the duckling into it feet first it keeps them from flipping over you’ll just have to take it out for food and water unless you can set up a way to get it close enough for it to get to.

 

[DuckyDonna]

OK, I'll get some. I was just at TSC the other day and I won't be back until next Thurs (I am a distance from it). Perhaps Amazon has it. I am starting to feel like this little guy may not make it. Today he seems to be flipping over more and can't get off his back. I guess time will tell. Thank you for your advice, I'll keep you updated.

This little guy he needs a boost and the B-complex, to me, is a "must have" so if you don't use it on him you will certainly use it in the future because it's good for all kinds of ailments. It has had amazing results for a lot of people on BYC!