HELP BABY MALLARD IS LIMPING

[Amiga]

Based on their diet the last couple of weeks - which was the best you knew how - they are likely deficient in a number of things, like protein and vitamins.

Please get them some good feed - at this point, even some sprouted wheat and ten percent of their food crushed dry cat kibble - temporarily, anyway till you get poultry or waterfowl starter. Pet stores carry mealworms. Some amaranth or millet soaked overnight would also provide more nutrients. Again, till you can get a regular feed.

Some folks get crickets and put them in an empty kiddy pool and let the ducklings eat the crickets.

They need protein, they need vitamins. I would not wait till I had the perfect food to start giving them more nutrients. I would start immediately.

 

[Kaessa]

Bad news, the second duckling that I have is having the same issue.
Now I suspect that it is not related to an injury.

Could there be a virus or sickness going on?
Or could it still be related to being vitamin deficient?

:-(

If it's both of them, and you've been feeding just romaine and oatmeal, it's probably a vitamin deficiency. Get the good food and some brewer's yeast (I add one tablespoon per cup of food) and you should start seeing some improvement within a week.

Edit: What Amiga said.

 

[juniverse]

The one that was hurt before is walking a little but looks like the other one got hit worst. Can it be the hepatitis virus?

I have the yeast and kibble plus boiled egg. Hoping they will eat.

 

[Amiga]

While there are viruses in the world, from what I have seen on the duck forum, some things are more likely than others.

My non-scientific, gut feeling based on data about likelihoods are

Nutrition
Hydration
Injury
Congenital problem
Bacterial infection
Virus
Fungal infection

So I urge people with ducklings that are limping to immediately correct the nutritional and hydration situation, look closely to rule out injury and even do some Epsom salt compresses and T-Relief, get a good duck vet if possible, and if things don't improve, or get worse over the next three days, start thinking about treatment of an infection.

With viruses, pretty much the thing to do is boost their immune system. Do to that, we correct the nutritional and hydration situation.

 

[juniverse]

While there are viruses in the world, from what I have seen on the duck forum, some things are more likely than others.

My non-scientific, gut feeling based on data about likelihoods are

Nutrition
Hydration
Injury
Congenital problem
Bacterial infection
Virus
Fungal infection

So I urge people with ducklings that are limping to immediately correct the nutritional and hydration situation, look closely to rule out injury and even do some Epsom salt compresses and T-Relief, get a good duck vet if possible, and if things don't improve, or get worse over the next three days, start thinking about treatment of an infection.

With viruses, pretty much the thing to do is boost their immune system. Do to that, we correct the nutritional and hydration situation.

Thank you Amiga. I appreciate your advice.

Unfortunately the 2nd one infected passed away within 3 hours of receiving the issue.

This hurt me badly. I am not use to this as I do not raise poultry.
I have one other house Mallard I keep as a pet who is very healthy.

The duckling who initially received the issue is standing, eating and drinking a lot so there is hope for her.

I got her the feed suggested from a store about 20 miles from here and mixed the Brewers Yeast as advised.
I will be taking her to an avian vet soon for a check up.

I am keeping my house Mallard away from the little one.

(Some history to help with diagnosis, the mother casted her out and some of her siblings as well. I suspected she knew something was wrong with them and she didn't want them to affect the whole flock. There were 4 casted out in total each on different days.

1 of them had the limping issue and fell to her side a lot requiring me to constantly lift her up.
She had this before we took her in. Sadly she did not make it either.)

 

[Amiga]

Sounds like you are doing the best anyone can. You are right to be aware that something infectious could be involved, and to keep yours protected. A waterfowl rehabilitator may be another good idea - if you are in the U.S., there is a law - the Migratory Bird Act - that rules against keeping wild waterfowl. Good, bad, or indifferent, it is good to be aware of that law.