Limping Pekin duck

[picklestheduck]

Hey everyone! So last night when I was not home one of my drakes was aggressively mating with my female ducks and attacking the males and humping them too. We have six males and six females and I would like to get more females but I can’t right now and I will be making a separate coop and run set up within the next few weeks since we are moving. Well my dad had to chase him for a long time, and he finally caught him and put him in a seperate coop and run while those birds free ranged. Well there is a pallet in there and a bigger step Into the mini coop. I don’t know what he did or how it happened but he turned up limping pretty bad, my guess is he was trying to get out or something. It was dark when I got home last night so I only checked him briefly and only felt his right leg to be a bit hotter than the other. I didn’t feel any swelling, or anything unusual. I just checked him again now, it’s midday the next day, and he is still limping pretty bad. He also lays down a lot and falls if he steps on uneven ground or something. I’m 99.9% sure it’s his right leg. He holds in slightly in front when he stands like he’s putting more weight on his left which is underneath him. I’m unsure of what to do other than let him rest and maybe put him in a dog crate or something? Again I didn’t see much swelling or anything odd. I’ll add some pictures. He’s a year and a half old by the way.

 

[3bird]

As I think you already indicated, addressing the root issue should be priority #1. We aim for a 4:1/hen:drake ratio--more hens is better. Even with that ratio, we need to manage (separate) the flock throughout the breeding season (April to August for us in Maine, USA). In terms of your boy's foot, have you felt all the joints carefully? Does he show any point tenderness anywhere? It's amazing how fast ducks heal, but I know how alarming a limp can be. Our modus operandi is a thorough physical exam followed by confining the duck so it can rest the affected area. If we don't see anything obvious and don't see improvement, we go to the vet. If I were in your shoes, I'd probably be keeping him in a confined space with food and water and taking him out to observe his walking 2x/day. If you have an opportunity for him to swim WITHOUT the other ducks, I'd certainly let him swim. Please keep us updated!

 

[Miss Lydia]

 

[Quatie]

I agree with everything @3bird said. You will also likely see it take longer for a pekin to heal from a leg injury. They are just so much heavier than other breeds that it takes a bit longer. Swimming in deep water can help take some of the stress off the joints and help the leg heal.

 

[picklestheduck]

I have been extremely busy and only just now put him in a dog kennel so he can rest and will tomorrow as well. He’s shaking and holding his leg up. Is there anything I can or should give him for pain?

 

[ruthhope]

This is on using meloxicam in ducks. But you have to get a prescription from a vet
https://www.tyrantfarms.com/how-to-...gg binding, injured legs, etc. over the years.

this one is for ibuprofen [advil] for ducks
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...nt I would recommend. View attachment 1770556

This thread is on aspirin for pain relief in chickens
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/pain-relief-for-chickens.39324/