My ducklings arrived Thursday and one is walking with her head tucked down under her chest and off to the side and came out the box that way (she is active even with her weird neck). She eats and drinks okay and will move it to do that but seems to spend most time with it in the tucked under her chest position that kinda reminds me of a fetal position. I can lift her head and she will hold it up for a little time, and when my older guys come look in the brooder she holds it all the way up and will get on her tippy toes to make contact with them. But then she goes right back to her head under her chest. What could have caused this, can it be cured or will she grow out of it. And a really stupid thought can I make her a little ducky neck brace with something soft to help her and if I can does anyone have any suggestions on how best to do that. Could it be a vitamin or mineral deficiency (and what do I need to get her if it might be) although all the others are fine and she arrived with it this way. All babies are on unmedicated starter. Any advice would be most appreciated as we want to give her the best quality of life.
It would be more likely from vitamin deficiency or hatching defect - and less likely to be the kind of injury that happened during transportation- From what you describe it sounds like Wry neck. Vitamin E - I think from memory is the particular one needed to try to fix a problem like this- I havent had the problem myself- but I know I have seen a few members here post about it..So I hope one of them sees this and can give you some further information.
I think the general defense to fix a Vit E deficiency is to take Vit E capsules, open them, and squirt them into the mouth of the bird. Not sure of the dosing schedule, though.
I had an ancona duckling hatch that way. In addition the duckling turns in circles all the time. It turns in uneven circles until it gets where it wants to go. Maybe I should have put it down but I just can't do it. When I feed the other ducks, I pick up "Turner" and place it by the feed dish and it eats like the rest of the ducklings. It's a little smaller than its hatch mates but I will help it along. Unless you don't like the way your duckling looks, just help it along and give it a cute name. Tony
Thanks I appreciate all the help and its good to know that it is most likely something easily fixed. My other half is getting the Vitamin e for her now. How much of the capsule do we need to give her and for how many days? I will post photos of her later.
