Duckling with bent neck - please help

[Mrs B]

Hello

Firstly, apologies for starting a new thread on this topic, but my computer wouldn't let me reply to previous threads

I am new to ducks and recently bought 6 lovely call duck ducklings. All are fine apart from one whose neck is suddenly extremely bent. And if you run your fingers down each side you can feel how it bends. However, it's head is upright and normal. From the front it looks like his head has been picked up and plonked closer to one shoulder

The duckling has always been different - more docile, always has a mucky beak - but I also have to be honest here and say I was cradling him under the lamp after a little dip in some water when he kept from my hands. Although I wasn't holding him high I grabbed him without thinking and caught him by his head between my fingers. I'm mortified that I may have done this to his neck - he seemed fine at the time

I started adding Brewers Yeast to their food yesterday and have been feeding them spinach as I hear that is a good source of vitamin e but am desperate for any other help.

Please help!

Thanks

L

 

[Amiga]

I would find another source of E, spinach also has some oxalic acid that prevents calcium absorption, and I am not clear on how much is too much spinach.

The brewer's yeast is probably a very good approach. A little supervised tub time in warm (based on age) water daily often helps with many problems. Not much time for a little, perhaps five minutes.

Have you seen this story? Bently recovered.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/761308/peking-duckling-with-crooked-neck-help

 

[Mrs B]

Hello

Thank you so much for getting back to me. Yes I have seen Bently's story, which gives me hope and made me try Brewers Yeast and vitamin e.

Have you any suggestions what source of vitamin e I could try please, and where to get it?

The ducklings have a supervised short swim once to twice a day whilst I clean them out, so will def keep doing that. Also, any suggestions on what greens are good for ducklings

Thank you again

L

 

[Fancychooklady]

Hi , wheat germ is a good source of vitamin E and would be easily mixed in with feed.

 

[Amiga]

Sunflowers have vitamin E. Not too much sunflower, they are a little oily, and the sure the little is getting some chick sized grit or sand to "chew" with or you risk impaction with foods other than crumbles or pellets.

 

[Fancychooklady]

I mix some sardines in olive oil through the feed. The olive oil is a good source of vit E and the sardines omega 3 and they love it.

 

[Mrs B]

Excellent. Thank you

Am picking some wheat germ up later.

Thank you both for suck swift and helpful replies. I posted on a different forum yesterday but despite my post being seen I've had no replies, so this really is appreciated.

Fingers crossed the Brewers Yeast, wheat germ and love works!!

 

[Fancychooklady]

Good luck , keep us posted .

 

[Mrs B]

Hello

Just wanted to update you all

I have started adding wheat germ and continued adding Brewers Yeast to the food. Although it's only been about 3 days there's been no improvement

I've also noticed that it's neck is now bare under the bend (round the front under its chin), and in fact the bend seems to be worse. His head is upright, but the neck is twisting.

He also isn't growing as quickly as I would expect and is small compared to the others . He often staggers when walking, but then so would I if my neck was so bent! And when resting his wings and tail twitch almost constantly

I have considered separating him from the others, but they call for each other, so I think this would cause more stress. However, the larger ducklings have taken to resting in the food! So I can't be sure that the powder is actually being eaten.

I'm going to put another bowl in this afternoon to encourage them to rest in that instead

I will keep persevering with the food, but thought i would update you all because you were all so helpful with your responses

L

 

[Amiga]

Oh my. It could be there is some injury that will take longer to heal and may not, completely.

A vet might be able to help, or a waterfowl rehabilitator. You may have a special needs duck.