Female duck that's limping

[Meca]

I have three female ducks and three drakes. I think that my over zealous boys hurt one of my girls. She's limping so I put her in my nursery pen to heal up. There are no cuts or anything but is there something I should check for?

 

[Amiga]

I would let her swim in lukewarm water deep enough to float in. Then follow up with Epsom salt compress (don't let her drink any - it is a laxative). Give her time away from the boys - in fact, I would split their accommodations and keep the drakes off the ducks for at least a few days.

That ratio - as you probably know - has great potential for injury, even fatalities. Keeping a separate drake pen, rehoming two of the drakes, or getting about six more females are all options.

As far as the kinds of injuries she could have - internal, spinal, and leg injuries are probably most likely. I know someone who watched her Pekin drake break a duck's neck during mating.

The Duck Forum has many knowledgeable members - you may wish to also post your situation there.

 

[Meca]

I think it's just a sprain. She's up walking on it today. I'm gonna let her rest for a few days. Hubby and I are going to send two of the boys to freezer camp. So this doesn't happen again.