ERGENT , my ducky cant walk!

[bt03]

She looks like she may have slipped something. What type of bedding do you have her on?

 

[Oddyse]

I use wood shavings, the same I used for all my ducks and they are all fine, better than fine some of them!

, I have no vets local to me where I can take her so im extremely worried! I have no problems in giving her more care and attention at all, she deserves it and il give her the best life possible, I just dont want her in any pain or anything. Its weird because it just suddenly happened, she just suddenly couldnt walk, it was literally over night! I dont know if this helps but when she swims , her right wing is more in the middle of her back and her left wing is round a bit, its almost as if she is twisted if that makes sense. Any info and help I can get is great! Keep the suggestions and advice coming! Thank you guys

 

[bt03]

The twisted might be because she is trying to keep weight off of it so is twisting her body to keep most of her weight off of it. She may have slipped on the shavings. I have a duck that is not allowed on anything other than solid ground because she is a clutz and everyone else was just fine on them. Even deep shavings were hazardous to her, but when she went outside no more slipping for Bean

Luckily she never hurt herself but I was always on guard with her. Have you tried to PM duckyfromoz? I hear she is great with things like this and may be able to tell you for sure because that is a great picture of her leg.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Have you seen this? and hope your lil one gets better.
https://sites.google.com/a/poultrypedia.com/poultrypedia/

 

[azhenhouse]

Hi, I am just curious to know what you have been feeding the duckling for that last two weeks, prior to the lameness. This might help us determine if it is nutrition related.

 

[Oddyse]

I have , again, been feeding her the same as all the others. Chick crumb and peas! They all love peas and I was told they are good for ducks. Il PM duckyfromoz now and hopefully I will get this problem sorted. Its taking its toll a bit because im worrier and I dont want her in pain!

 

[duckyfromoz]

I just saw your pm- Sorry about your little duckie. I did see this thread a few days ago and saw what Amiga had written and thought things were in hand- but now seeing the photo- that changes things. Sadly for your little one I think the leg looks dislocated. You can clearly see the knobly top part of the hock joint. I went and picked up one of my own ducklings just a little younger than yours to remind myself of what the normal hock looks like- and I would definitely say that is where the problem is.

It looks like the lower leg bone is slipped behind the upper bone - that would also be causing the twist. Because it has been so long- it is unlikely that you would be able to reset the joint in its normal position without anesthetic or maybe even an operation. The tendon may have shrunk a little too making it more difficult. Sadly birds suffer easily from shock- and the pain of such a movement could kill her if tried without anesthetic.

Does your baby have a name?? It doesnt have to mean she cant have a fairly normal life. Ducks can be incredibly adaptive. I have raised a number of disabled ducks ranging in the extent of there issues. Currently the worst I have is Ollie. He had two dislocated legs. He hatched that way - but is a happy boy. He lives in a babies portacot- and although he has many issues- he is still a happy boy who loves his swim and cuddles.

 

[Oddyse]

Aw I feel so bad! Maybe I should have took better care of her, maybe if I was watching her when it happened or acted sooner I could have helped more, this is horrible. Id give the world to have her/him ok , and I really really couldnt bring myself to put her/him to sleep, I literally couldnt do it. I would rather make her a little harness and have attached to me all the time so I could look after her! She is my first hatched duckling and since I saw her poke her tiny beak out of the egg I felt love for her that I dont even have for some humans! Weird I know, but im sure you understand. Would an operation help her/him? I dont care how mch it costs or where I have to go, if it will help I will do it! Anything, anything at all I can do I will! Its all making me quite sad, poor little ducky. She cant go in with the big ducks either yet, she went in yesterday and they knocked her over and she couldnt get up, I got her out super fast! I was hoping the others would look after her! Poor little ducky, I honestly could never see myself getting like this about my ducks, but oh how wrong I was. Thank you for your replies guys, anything else you want to say or you think will help im open to all suggestions! Thank you again guys, just a shame your not here in person

 

[duckyfromoz]

Oddyse - I did try and explain in my PM back to you- that this could have been something that was pure accident- nothing you did wrong- or could have done to prevent it. You are such a caring person and Im sure you will find a way to give your duckie the best life she can have. I can understand you not wanting to have her put to sleep - It is not an easy thing. I have the outlook that- Well I put the egg into the bator- if it hatches with a problem then it is up to me to give that duck the best life it can. Sadly sometimes it has meant a sad trip to the vet- but I know in my heart it was the best thing for that particular duck. Being so young Im sure your little one will learn to adapt, and not be held back by the disabilty.

My first ever time of raising waterfowl was when I was around 9 or 10 ( so long ago I have forgotten exactly what year ) It was a gosling that was trodden on by one of the parents. It had a dislocated leg. I cared for that little one as best as I could. Now around thirty years later- I cant imagine my life with out my waterfowl. Caring for such a fragile little guy back then has instilled in me a deep love of waterfowl and for their welfare. The bond you can have with a disabled animal is incredibly special. Some can need almost round the clock care like a newborn human baby. There can be set backs at times- and things to overcome - but providing for a disable duck is so rewarding.

 

[Oddyse]

Just to let you all know, im taking her to the vets on thursday morning so il post then and let you know what happens, all fingers and toes crossed it will all be ok!