duckling with severe birth defect : ADVICE? ? ?

[HollyDuckFarmer]

I'm sorry.

X3

 

[Duck Drover]

I had a duckling hatch with this same bill deformity and it died after the yolk ran out because it was not able to eat and drink. I was not able to kill it but it was a relief that it died because I don't know what I would have done with it. I am not sure what caused it but it was tiny so I wonder if it had not fully developed before hatching.

 

[crazy-bird-lady]

I was able to get some mealworms down him. I have a visit with a well experienced bird friend of mine for Monday, and I'll let him give the final say so for what to do. He works at a shelter and said he'd be willing to put the baby down humanely if I want him to. But I'm relieved in some ways that I at least got some good protein in him. He is still a little shaky with the water, but I'm hoping he'll hold out for tomorrow. If he doesn't then it was probably for the best, but I have my fingers crossed.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I was able to get some mealworms down him. I have a visit with a well experienced bird friend of mine for Monday, and I'll let him give the final say so for what to do. He works at a shelter and said he'd be willing to put the baby down humanely if I want him to. But I'm relieved in some ways that I at least got some good protein in him. He is still a little shaky with the water, but I'm hoping he'll hold out for tomorrow. If he doesn't then it was probably for the best, but I have my fingers crossed.

We're pulling for the little one, please let us know what ya'll decide.

 

[crazy-bird-lady]

Update:

For those of you who would like to know, the little guy is doing ok. His name is Timmy and tomorrow he will be a week old. he has begun to eat and drink independently, but I still monitor him with water.

Now that his beak deformity is less of a concern, at least at the moment, I was going to start spending a little more time researching his foot issue. I got advice from someone whose bird had the same feet how to treat them, but it's been almost a week with very little improvement. He is now beginning to walk on them the wrong way and I don't want him to learn it that way, or else it will get harder to correct. I herd of using a chick sling? Would this be advisable when I'm not giving him physical therapy?

Here are some pictures of what I'm talking about. What do you recommend?

It's kind of hard to tell but he's walking on the front of his ankles

This is how he stands when he's on his little box. Cute, but concerning...

 

[Miss Lydia]

Update:

For those of you who would like to know, the little guy is doing ok. His name is Timmy and tomorrow he will be a week old. he has begun to eat and drink independently, but I still monitor him with water.

Now that his beak deformity is less of a concern, at least at the moment, I was going to start spending a little more time researching his foot issue. I got advice from someone whose bird had the same feet how to treat them, but it's been almost a week with very little improvement. He is now beginning to walk on them the wrong way and I don't want him to learn it that way, or else it will get harder to correct. I herd of using a chick sling? Would this be advisable when I'm not giving him physical therapy?

Here are some pictures of what I'm talking about. What do you recommend?






It's kind of hard to tell but he's walking on the front of his ankles


This is how he stands when he's on his little box. Cute, but concerning...

Good to hear he's learning to eat and drink with it's handicap, they are amazing how they can adapt. Have to tried the chick shoes they are on the link poultry pedia you tape the feet in the direction the should go on either plastic wrapped with vep tape or card board either of these cut to fit the shape of the foot.

 

[crazy-bird-lady]

Good to hear he's learning to eat and drink with it's handicap, they are amazing how they can adapt. Have to tried the chick shoes they are on the link poultry pedia you tape the feet in the direction the should go on either plastic wrapped with vep tape or card board either of these cut to fit the shape of the foot. 

I was looking through that link but I didn't see much on curled toes. I just double checked it and found it though, guess I was skimming too fast the last time. I will try that and let you know how it goes.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I was looking through that link but I didn't see much on curled toes. I just double checked it and found it though, guess I was skimming too fast the last time. I will try that and let you know how it goes.

 

[crazy-bird-lady]

So I made the shoes out of soft foam and left them on overnight, and this morning after taking them off his feet look soooo much better. He is still wobbly trying to walk on them but he is slowly figuring it out. He keeps accidentally tucking his left foot back, but he has figured out how to correct it by himself. I'm so happy with this, thanks for all your support. He's a week old today, and although he is still much smaller than his siblings I think his chances are getting better.

 

[Miss Lydia]

So I made the shoes out of soft foam and left them on overnight, and this morning after taking them off his feet look soooo much better. He is still wobbly trying to walk on them but he is slowly figuring it out. He keeps accidentally tucking his left foot back, but he has figured out how to correct it by himself. I'm so happy with this, thanks for all your support. He's a week old today, and although he is still much smaller than his siblings I think his chances are getting better.

Great news, now don't get in a hurry to keep the shoes off you want him to get this right while still young, and also lots of supervised swim time really good way to build up muscles.