Lame 4 week old duckling - *update*

[One Acre Wonder Farm]

I have 8 Swedish ducklings, they were 4 weeks old yesterday.

I came home yesterday to let them out and they were all in the pen "screaming" at me to let them out except for one - my favorite of course - the only black one... she was sitting

I noticed as they roamed the lawn that she was mostly sitting. Then as her brothers and sisters moved along she would hobble after them and then sit. We picked her up and checked her out, no signs of injury. I notice when I gave them fresh food and water she drank but did not eat. I separated her with a buddy to try to get some good food in her (mashed hardboiled egg mixed with yogurt and unmedicated chick starter). This a.m. the food is gone but she looks really skinny, I don't hink she ate any at all.

I did a search and some people say their ducklings recover with a day's rest and others don't make it. I'm feeling like if she is not better today she isn't going to make it

Does anyone have suggestions? Is there something that can be done that I'm not doing? If not, when to cull? I really don't want her to suffer...

 

[Camelot Farms]

That's a tough one.

The lameness doesnt sound like the primary issue here. I have had lame ducks (pardon the pun) many times and they led happy healthy lives. Even had one with only one foot who lived for years.

I am more concerned with the lethargy and the lack of interest in eating. Personally, I would give her another day and see of the eating resumes. Then, if not I would consider culling. I hate to see any animal in pain/sick if there is no cure/rehab measures to be taken.

Keep us updated....

 

[kitkatbahr]

Does she have a favorite food? Mine LOVE coi food and also fresh, raw spinach leaves torn up into little pieces. I put any of that in a big dish of water and they go NUTS! I would try different kinds of food for her. Dip her bill into the water with food in it. Make a mash. Anything you can think of to get her to eat. I wouldn't give up on her yet. Is the buddy duck letting her eat? Sometimes they will bully the smaller/weaker one and not let them eat. Perhaps having her separate for a few minutes to give her a chance to eat would be better?

I hope she makes it. Poor little thing.

Kathy

 

[horsejody]

When my duckling wouldn't eat, somebody on here mentioned peas. He loved them and ate like a pig.

 

[One Acre Wonder Farm]

Thanks horsejody!

I tried the peas in water, she ate a couple, but not very many. She still is not walking well and not eating/drinking nearly enough.

 

[ExpLo721]

i will pray for your baby. i know the feeling of having a sick duckling...

 

[One Acre Wonder Farm]

Well, it is 2.5 weeks later and she's still lame! She is eating and drinking normally now. In the evenings I put her in her own little brooder type box so her brothers and sisters don't step on or harrass her too much. During the day the others range and she 'tries' although she is sometimes far behind or somewhere by herself.

She can walk, though she often has her wings out to help her balance and her tail is almost always down. She was doing much better for a few days, nearly walking normally, but now she is back to using her wings.

Will she ever recover? Has anyone one else had this happen?

 

[tdkmom]

I have a post on here about my 5 wk old duckling w/ a limp. He eats and drinks fine, cleans himself also but he holds his left leg up and hops along. (Earning himself the name "Hopalong" How original huh?) Anyway I have him in a cage in the coop w/ the rest but they can't pick at him or walk on him. Hoping that he'll get better in a week or so. Hope yours gets better soon. It kills me to see him hurt but at least he doesn't seem to be in pain.

 

[froggie71]

A few of us have threads about our ducks with weak or trembling legs. My sits down alot. Of course it's one of our favorites too. Suggestions were they had a niacin deficency. And to give brewer's yeast or crushed up niacin. I've had my DS start given them the brewers yeast. I really do think it is helping. Seems they maybe growing to fast for their legs. Don't know if this helps you or not. Good luck with your baby.