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One of our new call ducks has a slightly bowed out left leg, which is causing a turned in foot. Not exactly an issue of splayed leg, more like pigeon-toed. The duckling's relying heavily on the outside of it's foot in motion (rather than walking flat-footed).
It's just as active as the five other ducklings and generally moves about great. Rarely, but not never, tripping over the foot and falling forward. Occasionally I'll catch it shaking out it's bad leg (similar to what it would do if it were scratching itself).
We're not sure the cause, but we'd like to take corrective action if possible, as we'd hate for it to get any worse. The ducks spend ample time in water and have plenty of traction in their brooder. We've been supplementing niacin since Friday (when we received the half dozen from Purely Poultry). Jury's out on whether it's a deficiency, but we figured it couldn't hurt. Should we attempt to splint? If so, is there any danger of making things worse?
Please feel free to share any insights based on the photos. It does appear that the bowed leg may be a little bigger at the joint than the other - we're not sure what to make of this. Additionally, because we didn't hatch the ducklings and because they spent two days in transit, we're unsure whether this was a case of injury. Any signs of trauma?
It's just as active as the five other ducklings and generally moves about great. Rarely, but not never, tripping over the foot and falling forward. Occasionally I'll catch it shaking out it's bad leg (similar to what it would do if it were scratching itself).
We're not sure the cause, but we'd like to take corrective action if possible, as we'd hate for it to get any worse. The ducks spend ample time in water and have plenty of traction in their brooder. We've been supplementing niacin since Friday (when we received the half dozen from Purely Poultry). Jury's out on whether it's a deficiency, but we figured it couldn't hurt. Should we attempt to splint? If so, is there any danger of making things worse?
Please feel free to share any insights based on the photos. It does appear that the bowed leg may be a little bigger at the joint than the other - we're not sure what to make of this. Additionally, because we didn't hatch the ducklings and because they spent two days in transit, we're unsure whether this was a case of injury. Any signs of trauma?
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