Limping duck

[CochinBrahmaLover]

We have a duck who should be about 20 weeks, and she can't really walk. She's being fed chicken and duck layer, but still limps, as well as I've found NO duck eggs, and we have 3 20 week old ducks (one is a Pekin though so I don't expect her to be laying soon). They're in a covered area, no bushes, and we get some chicken eggs, but our 20 week old chickens also aren't laying as well as the ducks so I don't believe we it's a an egg eater since we get eggs from the older hens. That's a different story though
Should we give her more niacin supplements? They are in a large area, which we flood frequently so they graze a lot (they won't if we don't flood it... Haha), offer them feeder fish every now and then, and we have plenty of bugs around, so I don't know how she'd have a deficiency, all the other ducks are fine. Ay help appreciated ^^

Oh and the ducks live with chickens,if I added niacin to the water (which is more consumed by chickens since we flood the yard for the waterfowl) would it affect the chickens? I know waterfowl need more niacin then chickens

 

[Amiga]

You've checked for bumblefoot?

How long has she been limping?

Some ducks are more sensitive to low niacin than others, but they can have other leg problems. When they forage, it is tough to regulate their nutrients.

Have you felt her legs?

Is she a drake favorite and getting injured?

Might she be egg bound? Have you gently felt her belly? If it's a soft egg, it's hard to feel. Might her calcium levels be too low? I have a handful of ducks who need loads of extra calcium for some reason. If that's the case, liquid calcium gluconate, available at feed stores, 1 teaspoon per half cup of water - and I pour the water onto the feed so they get it all.

I would give her time in a lukewarm tub, deep enough to float in, and observe closely. Listen for clicks, her breathing, watch how she moves each leg, the problem could be higher up. Give her a few days separated from any drakes, if you have them. Maybe just a few days separated from everyone so she gets some rest. Sometimes a sprain or similar injury that keeps getting aggravated from too much activity will linger.

I would also give her Epsom salts soak or compress. E.s. is a laxative, so don't let her ingest any. Once or twice a day for three or four days at least, see if that helps.

I need to dash away from the computer for a while . . . will check back when I can.

 

[CochinBrahmaLover]

No bumble foot, her feet look nice and healthy

For a few weeks, it went away for a bit after we started feeding them duck food, we'd never have niacin-low levels issues so all birds got chicken feed, but due to her limping we bought them duck food and it went away for a few days, but then came back.

Yes, and they feel weird to say the least. I'm assuming that's how duck legs are supposed to feel since its the same as the other ducks, idk why but duck legs feel weird to me. I think it's the skin..

None of the drakes are old enough to be breeding, or have shown any interest in breeding, and we don't have a pond deep enough for them too, but I guess she could be injured if one of the drakes trying to breed her on land. (Well we do have a pond deep enough, they just hate it)

I tried to feel her hips for if she's laying, wasn't really able too, but while doing so I didn't feel anything hard. If its soft egg then how would I know?

Ok, will do and will do. We have 3 drakes, 1 is like 5 weeks or less (I'm terrible at remembering ages >,< ), and the other 2 are like 3 months or so. So I don't think they'd be interested I'm breeding, but we do have geese and lots of ducks so it could just be the activity.

Ok, so like give her a bath with that stuff in it? Ill have to tape her beak close LOL. She loves baths and always has to drink the water, cause ya know, she's a duck, haha.

Thanks so much,

 

[Amiga]

For Epsom salts, just put some in a three inch tall dish - I use a pyrex, you could use a dog dish, and hold her gently while she stands in the Epsom salts water.

Or soak a clean rag in Epsom salts solution and wrap her foot and leg loosely in the rag and hold her for a few minutes.

 

[CochinBrahmaLover]

Ah I see
Ok thanks, I got her separated today, and she's very mad ^^ her pals are some pigeons and chukars so she's mad, lol.
Ill wait a few days to see if she gets better before I pick up the supplies, money's tight so if its just a sprain then that'd be nice, otherwise well pick up the stuff, in her new place controlling her food will be easy.

 

[CochinBrahmaLover]

Couldn't find the Epsom salts but the issue hasn't been resolved, even when adding electrolytes (contained a lot of niacin, couldn't find niacin itself)
It seems, the left leg (right facing me, so the right leg in the photo) has a sorta pop/creak to it when bent. I set her in water, and while she was scared of me, she seemed very much relieved. I'm thinking, wrap her leg and a lot of bath time, along with extra niacin? She's very sweet and I'd hate to have to cull her, but as a cruel way of saying it, vets are expensive, birds are cheap

 

[Amiga]

I would give her every opportunity. Try a brace, niacin, poultry vitamins, baths, I myself would put a dab of comfrey salve on the leg at night (it is said to heal bones - and hasn't harmed me or my ducks). TLC, patience.

Even if she's a little slow she can have good quality of life.

 

[CochinBrahmaLover]

I am, I really do love her, but I just don't know if she's in pain or not. She just seemed so calm in the water, like a knife was just removed from her back. She's always the one whose nesting in the hay, or instead of wobbling around feeding in the water, she just sits there

I'm thinking we may end up with a house duck. The chicken diapers don't fit, - any tips on a homemade duck diaper? How often do you change? I feel ridiculous asking this xD

And can you 'train' them to poop in a corner?

 

[CochinBrahmaLover]

Note - I was just petting her, and she made this raspy, huffing sound and the a distinct, high pitched whistling noise, then went back to normal.
Thoughts? Hope it's not something wrong with her lungs

 

[Amiga]

That just may be a stress noise, keep listening.

There are duck diapers available. A search on the BYC Duck archives should turn things up. I am injured and typing is awkward, or I'd go do some searching for you.

And I don't think they can be trained that way. But several of us have happy house ducks. That's another search for you (c:

Nettie, DenverDucky, and others....