Looking for Advice on Newborn Duckling that Can’t Walk or Stand

[CTBirdGirl]

I’m hoping to hear from anyone who had a positive outcome with either a chick or duckling that upon hatch was not able to walk or stand but given time it did eventually do both? I have a duckling that hatched 24 hours ago and has one leg that seems both weak and curled - I taped the foot open/flat with two small pieces of cardboard and tape like a boot and left him/her in the incubator for a full 24 hours and just moved him/her into the brooder with 2 slightly older ducklings. It is able to move by using its one ‘good’ leg to push itself along but obviously tires very quickly and spends most of its time sleeping. I’ve studied the leg in question and it seems weak - floppy almost, but the duckling can and does pull it up to its body if I hold him on his back. There are no obvious signs of deformity or congenital issues with the leg or the duckling in general. The duckling preens, peeps and otherwise acts like a perfectly normal duckling. Its hatch was difficult and drawn out - he pipped at day 29 and finally at day 33 I made the decision to help him out. I’m just wondering if anyone has had a similar experience in which the chick or duckling gradually gained strength in one weak limb and recovered.....I’m feeling pessimistic about this guy’s chances because at this point there’s no way he or she could get to food and water unless I place it in front of it.

 

[Newfowler1]

I would post in duck section. Sounds like he’s extremely exhausted. Probiotics and vitamin B, niacin supplement most definitely in order. Good luck

 

[Heidi Sartori]

We just had two ducklings born with the same problem. We used finger splints and self adhesive tape. They live inside with their dog dad for now. They struggled with the mom and siblings and they just weren’t getting bigger. That are doing a lot better and starting to walk normal.