Indian runner duckling has trouble walking

[rachaelc]

I bought 3 little ducklings at a swap yestrday and when i got them home noted one does not walk well yet. The other 2 are up and walking well.(they are 3 days old at most) I have taken "Lucky" out and started a little walking therapy on the carpet. Gets a little push or stand up to walk like it should. Wondered if this is like chicks with a straddled condition? Can it outgrow it? Can it rehab with walking excercises? Any advice is welcome. Thank you.


Rachael C- mother of all

 

[Amiga]

I hope Duckyfromoz can weigh in here - she's familiar with leg problems. From what I have read, ducks can get splay leg from being kept on too-slick a surface. The solution for that is to tie soft cloth ribbon to keep their legs from splaying apart. They generally outgrow it. But Ducky has seen some slipped tendons, which are a more serious problem.

My thought, just based on having had my own injuries, is that therapy in warm (90ish F) water just deep enough to float in (just above the tops of the legs) would take strain off the legs while allowing for exercise. Weight bearing may or may not help, depending on the nature of the injury or deformity.

Can you get photo's or video up for us to see?

Also, when I am concerned about a duck or duckling, I make sure to give them vitamins,, probiotics and electrolytes to boost their little systems. I make sure they are getting enough niacin, too, since that can (does not always, apparently) affect nerve development.

 

[duckyfromoz]

rachaelc - there are a number of conditions I have seen with Runners that can be a problem- some temporary- some permanent. Being that the legs/ hips are different to other ducks- they can be more prone to certain conditions. One thing I have seen is a condition where the joint at the hip is effect - not necessarily dislocated- but the leg will stick out a bit giving them a permanent limp. By day three it should have gained strength from hatching - but could just be one that takes a while longer to get going - but just to rule out any problems with the legs first can you answer a few questions?

When it does get up to walk does it limp or stumble?
Does it use both feet flat on the floor- or is one leg or foot curled up?
Does one leg sty underneath and one go out to the side?

Amiga is right about the water therapy- often a duck/ling with leg issues can swim very well and help to strengthen the muscles.

 

[rachaelc]

Quote:
Oh thank you for your imput. "Lucky" appears to have its little right foot slightly curl when it does try to walk like the other 2. The right also shows some red like a blood vein in its foot web. The left foot goes out a bit further to the side, but I cant tell if actually splayed or just weak from not walking much. She bobblehops so to speak. She is a generous size for one of the 3.
If to give her water therapy at 3 days old, please specify temp,depth, and length of time. Im sure the other 2 would like to join as well. What kind of a pan or sink should I use?
So nice to have your help. I have raised chicks well, but want to be a great duck mommy too.

 

[duckyfromoz]

One thing you could do is strap open the webbing on the foot that is curling. This helps them to be more stable so they can learn to walk properly.
I have used sticky foam pads made for human feet with great success in the past.

They are sticky enough to stay on for two or three days- the duckling does walk a bit funny for a short time to get used to it- but after I while I have noticed that with the foot open- they are running around like the others barely noticing the pad on the bottom of their feet. Strapping for splay leg may also have some positive effect. I hope it is just general weakness- and with a little extra support - it will be able to walk easier. What you describe doesnt sound like a slipped tendon- but it cant be totally ruled out just yet either. It could even just be that it was handled a bit roughly be the previous owner- and that it might take a few days to recover.


The veins you can see are normal- they can sometimes bite each others feet and bruise each other- which is most likely what you are seeing.

I use the basin/ laundry tub at times for mine to swim in- but also shallow plastic containers so I can move them into the lounge room where I set up a heater while they are drying off. They only need an inch and a half of water at that age- water should be like a human babies bath- warm but not hot enough to burn. They do get water logged very quickly. Only a few minutes at this age is enough to see them soaked. You can increase the time as they grow, My 2 week olds get about 7 minutes in the water and the 3 week old 10 minutes. Most important is having somewhere warm for them to dry off. I have a radiant heater on a little stand made up to put over them while they preen after a quick rub with a towel.

You are being a great new ducky mom so far. You obviously care very much for these little guys.

 

[ksmith]

I have delt with this problem before, and it is not fun! There are a couple of things you can do:

1) If you are feeding the ducklings chick starter they need more nacin, so you can add 2-3 cups of Brewers Yeast to 10 pounds of chick starter.

2) You can buy niacin capsules (Make sure it is not flush free) and add 100mg of the capsules to 1 gallon of water.

3) Go to the feed store and you can get a powder type package that you add to their water, and it gives them extra vitamines.

4) You can bandage the leg with a bandaid to keep the leg straight.

I hope he/she is ok!!

 

[rachaelc]

Better today Lucky was standing up a lot more and did walk better. Face it she wasnt evan walking before. She had a water therapy today as well as the other 2 and smashed leftover greenbeans for treats today and yesterday. Bout a heaping teaspoon. They loved that. I will keep close eye on her to make sure she heals well. Thank you for you excellant advice. You were spot on.

Rachael C-mother of all