Duckling leg

[ajroth166]

My hatch of ducklings finally finished yesterday afternoon. As I was moving the last duckling to the brooder I noticed something was wrong and I saw for sure what it was when I sat him down. He couldn’t walk to the other ducklings so I looked at his legs and realized that his one leg bends completely the wrong way. I’m not sure what to do or how to help him or what caused this to happen. Any answered would be great!

 

[crazy4ChickensNducks]

I’ve never seen that happen before! He might need to be culled, I don’t know how you would right the legs

 

[ajroth166]

I’ve never seen that happen before! He might need to be culled, I don’t know how you would right the legs

That’s what I was thinking too he was the last to hatch. He is lively and energetic and it’s getting around but I think the other leg isn’t quite right either.

 

[chickens really]

Give it at least another 24 hours to see if it's legs become right.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Can you bend the legs normal if so maybe try hobble for a few days? @ajroth166

 

[ajroth166]

Can you bend the legs normal if so maybe try hobble for a few days? @ajroth166

I don’t think so. They are pretty stiff so I’m not sure that would work

 

[Miss Lydia]

Most likely a birth defect then. Have you tried gently not forcing at all? Poor little one.

 

[ajroth166]

Most likely a birth defect then. Have you tried gently not forcing at all? Poor little one.

Yea it’s like it’s locked at the knee joint :/ but it’s happy energetic, drinking water, cuddling with the other ducklings. Seems to be happy and starting to use its beak in place of using that leg to walk with

 

[Miss Lydia]

Well I am not for culling if anyone wants to give it a go and raise a handicapped duckling. We have had many members with handicapped ducks and chickens and geese . We have a member now who has a Pekin hatched with out eyes and she is doing great. There are sites on line that even show you how to make wheel chairs and slings to keep them in. Please keep us updated on how it’s doing. Blessing!

 

[casportpony]

I am also supportive of those willing to raise and keep special needs birds (I have some myself). If it were mine i would to straighten the legs, the use a tape splint to set it.

This is what I would try:

edited to add:
I would do it sooner rather than later because it could get pressure sores on it's hock joint, which will make it even harder to straighten the leg and correct the problem.