Ducks eating bedding

[Boskat]

Please help! I feel helpless although I’m a paramedic, went to university for zoology, as well as worked in wild animal rescue rehabilitation. So getting a blind duckling with our other lil additions to the farm was, without question, something I would take on. The first night I noticed her eyes were smaller and pine dusty. I bathed her and started antibiotic eye meds. Next morn, she was completely matted shut w one eye oozing. I continued to treat and removed her from the community brooder. It appeared as though she was pecked in her left eye. Now, I know she’s 100% blind, however the injured eye is bulging and ulcerated. It needs to be removed and I will pay for that. I’m waiting for her to get a bit older so the surgery is safer. I’ve worked with a vet and he has her on antibiotics and is willing to do the surgery for the cost of the meds and supplies.He also sees her for free. I feel I’m doing all I can to ease her anxiety, pain, and allow her happiness but I’m still at a loss. I can no longer let her spend ANY time with her mate as one little peck and the eye may rupture! She’s a month old. She’s a nervous wreck so I keep her at my side in a portable brooder I made. I feed her every waking minute. (literally scrambling eggs, warming oatmeal w fresh fruit, garden salads and anything else she binges in at 3am. I can’t keep food and h2o in her box. She steps in it,spills it, panics, runs all over in a frenzy, hitting her wounded eye and soaking herself. I know they eat and poop constantly, but getting up every hour to change bedding (towels) and feed her is what needs to be done & I do it. I’ve taught her how & it’s safe to submerge her head under water when she eats. I’ve taught her she NEEDS water when she eats. I’ve gotten her to feel safe in warm baths by placing my hand near, but NOT on her so she knows she’s safe and always has an escape. Without a mother, sibling or her eyes to assist her, I’ve become her everything. Yet, she’s a scared blind duck and would prefer I don’t EVER touch her unless it’s on her terms. (She acts like I’m killing her) Still, she panics if I leave the room, calms only to my voice, try’s her best to follow me around the house and bless her lil heart, hops & waddles on my chest to nap on on my shoulder when we lay down and listen to duck sounds on YouTube at night. I need to move her to my larger brooder. I’ve NO idea what to use for bedding. Her mouth is her eyes so eating pine shavings is a given. I need an option other than towels, not only because I like her space clean, but SHE gets upset if there’s too much poop or pee near her. I also need it clean to avoid Introducing additional bacteria into the bad eye. is there anything absorbent like pine that she can safely consume? She knows her name and the word NO, so she stops eating them when I ask, but I turn my back and she’s doing it again. I can’t look at her every move 24/7. She needs to learn some independence. (Thus the larger brooder). I just can’t afford to do 4 loads of towels a day! I would also like to leave her food or at least water in there 24/7 since there is way more space and she’s less likely to walk in it and panic. Does any one have suggestions on blind duck food and water feeders? She doesn’t seem to understand them? She’s not stupid. She’s just been blind since day one and knows nothing but a world of darkness. The surgery will make a big impact on her socialization and freedom. Until then, I’m burning the candle at both ends. Does anyone have ANY suggestions on raising a blind duck. The bedding, the food dishes,most importantly, getting her to calm down when she has anxiety attacks. It breaks my heart. Other animals I’ve rehabbed, I’ve wrapped in a warm soft towel and gently held close to me to calm them. However, ”Bitty” HATES being held! I just have to move her to an empty box, leave her alone and let her work it out on her own terms, sometimes to the point of exhaustion.I’ll allow her outside as she gets older to hang with the healthy ducks, she will only do it with me hovering around her. She will most likely be a house pet. (Diapers should prove an interesting challenge) I just don’t want to save a duckling only to force it I to an existence of fear. That would break my heart. Thank you.

 

[DuckyDonna]

Hi, I'm so sorry about your little Bitty but you sure are a good duck mom!

I don't know anything about having a blind duck so I might be wrong about what I'm about to suggest just so you know. Can you use puppy pads in the brooder instead of pine or towels? they sure make clean up easy on you.

How about actually attaching come kind of feeder or waterer to her brooder. You'd have to be able to detach it but if it's always in the same place maybe it would give her a bit of independence. Attach something using velcro? It wouldn't have to be big.

Could you take a picture of her brooder home? It might me easier for my imagination to kick in if I can actually see it.

 

[Boskat]

Thank you so much for responding to me.Puppy pads are a great idea. I dont think that she will be able to tear them up and eat them either. I’ve used them on puppies and they didn’t rip easily. I’ll definitely give it a try... with a hovering eye on her course. I spent most of the day cleaning her new home and setting it up for her, as her healthy flock buddies were moved outside to a cage in the barn... until they’re big enough to mingle with the big girls. Bitty hasn’t been introduced to it yet, but I tried to get a pic of the general lay out. It’s really basic. Wood and industrial multi layer cardboard. (It housed solar panels) Its strong enough that i drilled through it to attach it to the wood. I also had to use a saw to cut it to size. So attaching a water container of some sort should be no problem. I’d prefer to use Velcro than get the tools out and drag outside again, but I’m unsure if it’s strong enough to hold the size and depth of water bowl needed. It’s really important Bitty soak her entire head since her eye is ulcerated. HOWEVER, a Velcro area for Bittys fruit, salads, scrambled eggs and oatmeal would be perfect! I put those in small empty sour cream dishes. Just to have them up off the ground, stable and at a comfortable height for Bitty would help so much! I think she would be relieved her dish is always in the same place and isn’t moving or going away from her! Actually your idea of attaching w Velcro to the same place might eventually help Bitty remember where her food station is. She could independently explore in that area w her beak without her constant fear of stepping into it and spilling it all over herself. That would bring me such joy! My heart breaks for her when she spills her food on herself. Bitty seems so upset and frustrated when it happens. She even has a new high pitched cry when it happens. (Almost like when you just about step on a pet pups paw and it yelps to warn you before you do) Is so sad and pathetic, I can tell what she just did without even having to look. (We make everything all better with a warm bath and warm towels when it’s all said and done though) Shes starting to learn it’s not the end of her lil world and her tummy will still get filled. I just know it will make her life so much better if the Velcro idea works! Sorry so long! Im just excited to get this started. Again, Thank you so much for your suggestions. Now...cross my fingers I can find puppy pads and Velcro. Yesterday I couldn’t find soap!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Your so sweet to be taking such good care of Bitty. I have read on here of other members who had a blind duck and another duck took the blind duck Under its wing so to speak. Do you think there might be one that would be laid back enough to try with her?

 

[DuckyDonna]

I just had a thought that if you hung her food and water containers maybe you could put a little block of wood or something under it to rest the containers on like a little shelf. It would take the strain off the velcro and if it was smaller than the dish she might not even know the block was there supporting it. I hope that made sense!

 

[Boskat]

Your so sweet to be taking such good care of Bitty. I have read on here of other members who had a blind duck and another duck took the blind duck Under its wing so to speak. Do you think there might be one that would be laid back enough to try with her?

Aww, thank you. I’ve been that way since I was a small child. Every tiny lil heartbeat deserves a fighting chance. You have no idea how much your support and the support of this site means to me. The amount of people who tell me to break her neck or eat her is frustrating. I’ve been ridiculed and yelled at for spending so much money on a $10.00 disposable bird. Bitty has become more than just a backyard chicken. She’s no different than someones German Shepard, French Poodle, Persian cat, Cockatoo, parrot... but Bittys smarter! I, MYSELF, never knew how smart, comical, little personalities they were! She’s taught me so much. I’m so happy she’s in my life. Yes, at times it’s exhausting, but I’m so fortunate to have her little beep in the morning! Finally, an answer to your question. Yes she does have a “partner”. We purchased 2 so they would have each other. I know Bittys mate would help her a lot! Unfortunately, I can’t leave them together because of Bittys ulcerated eye. It is bulging out and under pressure. It’s on the verge of bursting on its own. Hey buddy wants to clean it! So I have to keep them separate. You’re absolutely right, though, he dies take her under his wing. I let them take baths together. He sees her swimming in circles or stuck in a corner and knows something is wrong. He literally takes her under his wing and guides her to safety. He has also taken naps with her and rests his head on top of her, keeping his eye on me for her. She sleeps much more soundly by him. He’s more content as well. I feel bad for both of them. I have to get her surgery done first. She needs to be old enough so she she has the best chance of a speedy recovery. Sorry so long! I’m just thrilled I finally have support instead of criticism. Thank you so much for responding to me w your suggestion.

 

[DuckyDonna]

Ah, I'm so glad Bitty has a buddy. That will help a lot! You're doing a phenomenal job of caring for her.

 

[Miss Lydia]

You sure are! We agree every tiny little heartbeat deserves a chance How old does she have to be to get the surgery? We are rooting for her and you. Please keep us updated, and I am so happy to hear Bitty has a friend.

 

[Boskat]

You sure are! We agree every tiny little heartbeat deserves a chance How old does she have to be to get the surgery? We are rooting for her and you. Please keep us updated, and I am so happy to hear Bitty has a friend.

The vet said to allow 2 wks for the antibiotics and come back. We would discuss it then. The receptionist said they usually want animals to be 3 mo old. However this is a duckling and a lesser invasive surgery. Bitty won’t be intubated, she will just have gas knock her out. I know HUMAN surgical risk, but I have to admit I’m learning right along side Bitty how it works for ducklings. AND honestly there really isn’t a lot of info on duckling surgeries. Most people won’t do it. I’m so thankful I found a vet that understands Bitty isn’t disposable to me and is not only willing to do the procedure, but do it during a pandemic when most vets are only seeing emergencies by appointment. I will keep you posted! Thank you SO much for your genuine support! It’s a wonderful thing to find a like minded person who has a beautiful heart!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Def keep us updated. I am in awe of you! You’ve taken in the responsibility of a sweet bird who will be dependent on you for life. Your a hero! ❤