Lame Mallard hen

[Tamara2112]

Hi Everyone,

I have a lame young mallard hen. She became lame after my mallard drake ran and ran her for 2 days. I locked him up for a day, but he was right back at it the next day. I didn't realize he was doing this the second day because I didn't hear her distress calls. She must have lost her voice. I'm so upset over this. I now how the mallard drake in a pin of his own until my 2 hens can handle him.

Today I brought her inside, as she's still not standing, and put her in a warm bath for a few minutes. I stretched her legs back and forth and let them hang while I held her. She's eating and drinking. I also did Tellington Touch on her legs and leg muscles. She almost fell asleep as I did this.

I just now went back out to check on her, she's still only sitting and belling crawling, not standing.

Do any of you know how long it will take her to recover? Is there anything else I can do?

 

[duckeg]

Is her leg swollen?

 

[pattyhen]

You might try some epson salts mixed in warm water and dip a rag in it and put it on her leg. That helps inflamation. Don't let her drink the water. Try doing this a couple of times a day until she gets to feeling better. She needs to rest her legs. I hope she feels better soon.

 

[Amiga]

Ditto pattyhen, and I would let her float, supervised, in lukewarm water as much as possible to take weight off the legs, improve circulation and build strength. She's been traumatized. She may have internal injuries.

A vet might help - a good duck vet is best, and I know there are not that many out there.

How is her poop? Normal looking?

 

[Tamara2112]

Is her leg swollen?

No, neither leg is swollen. She lets me stretch and massage them both without protest, actually seems to like it very much.

 

[Tamara2112]

You might try some epson salts mixed in warm water and dip a rag in it and put it on her leg. That helps inflamation. Don't let her drink the water. Try doing this a couple of times a day until she gets to feeling better. She needs to rest her legs. I hope she feels better soon.

Thank you! I'll try epson salts. She liked the warm water bath I gave her today and she paddles her feet if I hold her up.

 

[Tamara2112]

Ditto pattyhen, and I would let her float, supervised, in lukewarm water as much as possible to take weight off the legs, improve circulation and build strength. She's been traumatized. She may have internal injuries.

A vet might help - a good duck vet is best, and I know there are not that many out there.

How is her poop? Normal looking?

She's eating and drinking and her poop looks normal! Thank goodness!! I'll be doing the warm water baths with her again tomorrow.

 

[pattyhen]

Your welcome and I hope she recovers soon. Please let us know how she is doing.

 

[Tamara2112]

She recovered very nicely!! I'm sorry it took me so long to get back to this. Thank you everyone!