Duckling with a leg/foot problem

[Quail27]

Would it be silly to try to construct some sort of wheelchair type device, so the duckling could get around without falling over? Maybe something simular to a baby walker?

 

[duckyfromoz]

It actually looks like it could be the hip area or the lower joint...Not really too clear in the pic... But still such a little cutie. Splinting may help- but since the leg and foot are turning inward you would have to try splinting it so it doesnt turn in...very difficult. It could be a dislocation of the hip- or a partially slipped tendon in the hock joint. I hope for your little one..its neither because both would be likely to leave him unable to walk.
The fact that Crooked cant stand up and the way you describe how he moves around- suggests that there may be some degree of discomfort if weight is placed on the foot. Not neccesarily painful or he wouldnt be moving at all.
I would suggest you take him to a vet for an xray- or at least a consultation by a anvian specialist- but after doing that myself on numerous occassions myself I can say it would be a very expensive venture - with possibly nothing they can do to fix this problem. You may at least get a proper diagnosis- or advise on how some kind of therapy may assist Crooked-

I tried making a chair for Regie my disabled duck... But she really didnt like it. She likes to be able to move even though it is so hard for her. She gets tired very quickly hopping around. But really loves a swim too. Regie hatched with a slipped tendon in her leg and has never walked at all. She lives in a babies portable cot- gets time outside on the grass and a swim everyday. She is very small- and at 16 weeks old-- Still doesnt have all her feathers and has angel wing...She is such a sweet little girl- and well worth all the time it takes to care for her. I want to make her some kind of prosthitic leg when she is finished growing.

 

[Quail27]

My last duck, a male pekin duck came down with something that made it so that he started limping. From there it got progressively worse until he was scooting instead of walking at all. He had been on "vacation" after our dog attacked him, and the man that was keeping him told us that all male ducks get leg problems during breeding season. I could not find that tidbit of information online, so I started to get concerned.

I called every vet in the area, and despite being in TN (where a lot of people have poultry), only one of the vets would even look at him.
They took an x-ray, didn't see anything, and told us there was nothing they could do... that they didn't know what to do or what it could be.

So, I don't have faith in the vets in my area. If they will see a duck, they have no clue what they're looking at or looking for.

Can you tell me a little more about your duck?
Crooked seems to like me petting him/her and sitting on my chest. She/he still scrambles for the food and loves to play in the waterer. Crooked is having a hard time, but I really don't think Crooked is ready for "the big sleep". Let me know more about your duck, and how you help a duck that can't walk well.
Am I selfish for keeping Crooked alive?

I will work on a walker, but I'll keep in mind that Crooked might not like it.

 

[ancona91]

Hello!!!!
First, Crooked is absolutely ADORABLE!!! It takes a very special person to choose or to take on a special needs duck(or any special needs animal). I have several ducks with "disabilities" myself.......and love them both dearly.
May I ask what kind of feed you're using for Crooked?!? Non-medicated chick starters lack enough niacin for ducklings.........ducklings require 2-3 times more niacin than chicks!!! Lack of the required amount of niacin can worsen an already present leg problem . If using chick starter, you should add 250 mg. of niacin per gallon to Crooked's drinking water. They sell niacin in tablet form in most drug stores Just dissolve it in a gallon of water. Be sure not to exceed 250mg/gallon. It should help with his/her leg problem. I've also heard that cod liver oil added to the drinking water does wonders.
I've raised rare breed ducks for 8+ years now. The above method has always worked well for me. Corrently I have 110 ducks(and 98 chickens, 2 Blue Slate turkeys and 5 geese). Hope I've been of some help!!!!!
Regards, Kathy

 

[Quail27]

I'm using a mixture of gamebird starter and flock raiser, with protein powder added in.
Both are non-medicated.
Both of my ducklings also get mealworms.

Stupid for not mentioning it before, but Bib (the other duckling) picked Crooked up by the leg and threw Crooked off the couch. Crooked's leg was already messed up before that, but perhaps this just worsened the problem. It didn't seem to really affect Crooked at the time, he/she went back to cuddling, but you never know.

Another question... how do I get these two to tame down more? They are okay (for the most part) after a few minutes once I get them out, but they still run from me, cry when I pick them up...
I give lots of treats, and I'm gentle. My other duck imprinted on me very fast and would follow me. These two are reluctant.

 

[Iamgrateful]

How did Crooked's leg end up? I have a 4 week old Pekin duckling that has it's feet turned inwards. I have been giving extra niacin in the water but the duckling is still not able to hardly walk with the feet almost overlapping each other.

 

[Mccluckers]

Hi I would also like to know how crooked ended up as I have a duckling with similar issues.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hi I would also like to know how crooked ended up as I have a duckling with similar issues.

here is a good link that may help https://sites.google.com/a/poultrypedia.com/poultrypedia/