duckling leg injury?

[zydrate]

at first I had no idea how he couldve hurt himself since their night tote is well, just a tote with two dishes and hay, but I think I figured out that there must not have been enough hay and he laid on the hard bottom for too long, that's the only explanation I can think of, I've never had this issue before with keeping them in totes, only wire cages, and I'm worried because I know how quickly leg issues can escalate. they typically spend the day outside in a grassy area as long as it's not cold and rainy, and stay in the tote at night and I clean it every day. I've added extra hay this time and I'm hoping that will fix the issue, but if anyone has any other tips for how to help his legs recover I would greatly appreciate it, I feel awful for not putting enough hay since I think that was the cause. I've included a picture of their night tote and a video of him walking but it says the file isnt allowed so I'm sorry I cant include that as well. if it further helps, his walking is struggled and his legs are bent and he cant stand up like he normally does.

 

[Birdie mom]

So his legs are both bent? How old is he? Can you post a picture instead of a video? How long has it been like this? Could it posibaly be something he has had for a while but you have only just noticed it? Is he eating/drinking well? I really need a photo to see what s wrong. Hope he gets better!

 

[Isaac 0]

A picture or video would be very helpful. Do any of these pictures accurately describe how he walks?

 

[zydrate]

hes 3 to 4 weeks old, I got him from tractor supply so I dont have an exact age though I'm guessing he was a week old when I got him on april 3rd. it just happened overnight so it's only been like this for today, he most certainly didnt have it last night, I spend every day with them and he was standing straight and walking perfectly when I checked on them before bed. hes eating and drinking fine, even still got in the water to clean himself as usual today when I took them out, the only issue is he very clearly cant walk well. it's very hard to get a picture of it, since he just looks like hes crouched or trying to lay down, but I tried. theres no obvious bumps or anything on his legs. the closest picture would maybe be c? but his hunches arent sticking out like that, hes just acting as if his legs dont want to bend straight enough to stand or walk correctly, which is why I think it must be from laying on a hard surface. I'm hoping he'll be better in the morning since I added a lot of extra hay. I'll try to upload a private vid to youtube if itll let me so I can share him walking

 

[Isaac 0]

I'd like to see the video.

 

[DuckyDonna]

hes 3 to 4 weeks old, I got him from tractor supply so I dont have an exact age though I'm guessing he was a week old when I got him on april 3rd. it just happened overnight so it's only been like this for today, he most certainly didnt have it last night, I spend every day with them and he was standing straight and walking perfectly when I checked on them before bed. hes eating and drinking fine, even still got in the water to clean himself as usual today when I took them out, the only issue is he very clearly cant walk well. it's very hard to get a picture of it, since he just looks like hes crouched or trying to lay down, but I tried. theres no obvious bumps or anything on his legs. the closest picture would maybe be c? but his hunches arent sticking out like that, hes just acting as if his legs dont want to bend straight enough to stand or walk correctly, which is why I think it must be from laying on a hard surface. I'm hoping he'll be better in the morning since I added a lot of extra hay. I'll try to upload a private vid to youtube if itll let me so I can share him walking

to post a video you have to upload it to youtube, or vimeo then copy and paste the link here on the thread.

 

[zydrate]

yes I know, here it is, it should work

 

[Isaac 0]

I would start her on Cattle B injectable complex, Durvet brand. Administer 1ml daily over treats or orally with a syringe/eyedropper. This is the brand you want. Looks like she has bowed legs which is commonly caused by not enough niacin in their diet, are you providing a niacin supplement to their feed or are you feeding a feed formulated for ducks?

 

[zydrate]

its dumour chick starter and it lists that it's for ducks as well, and in the ingredients it does include 'niacin supplement'.
I'll have to ask someone i know who's an essential worker to try grabbing some on their way from work tomorrow. do bowed legs from that happen just overnight?

 

[Isaac 0]

s it does include 'niacin supplement'.
I'll have to ask someone i know who's an essential worker to try grabbing some on their way from work tomorrow. do b

That's only intended for chicks, it doesn't have enough niacin in it for ducks, it can be fed, , but a niacin supplementation should be used like Brewer's yeast, nutritional yeast, B complex or a poultry vitamin to help prevent leg problems. I doubt it set in overnight, for some owners its hard to recognize until it's very noticeable. TSC will have the bottle, and I suggest you get that specific one I showed. Post back once you get it and we can guide you from there.