It's hard to tell how bad her leg was last night seeing it this evening. I had to double check I picked up the right duckling to check her out. She had two floats in warm water today, the second time around with one of her sisters. She literally just floated while her sister darted around, so I don't doubt her leg was a little sore still. It's hard to see in these images, but she has a little bruising on her right leg on the inside around that knuckle/joint and a little around the leg just below that. Last night her whole foot was swollen and very dark pink, today it's the same color as the other foot and she seems to be walking fine on it. I'm going to keep her confined for at least one more night and day. Out baby goose that is in with them is not happy to be seperated. She is with one duckling and then another of our three is keeping the injured duckling comfortable. The gosling cried ALL day today, she does not like for them to be seperated. I am using ceramic heating bulbs (no light emitted), but last night had to use a red bulb on the second brooder. Up until last night everyone slept quietly through the night, so I'm curious how much the red light had to do with all the crying last night. My husband is picking up another ceramic heat bulb to use tonight. Crossing my fingers we get some sleep and that our injured duckling will be up for the main brooder by tomorrow evening. I deinitely won't rush it, though.
It's the leg on the left in this photo:
It honestly doesn't look too bad at all in those pics, especially the second one where she's standing on it. A little more TLC and I think she'll be good as new. I'm sure it does hurt her some, so the floating in the water with no weight on it will help alot.
I'm sure the red bulb giving off the light had alot to do with the noise last night. When it's really dark they settle down much faster. Hopefully this little one will be all healed up soon and they can be together again so everyone is happy.
