My baby with an injured leg....update with pics

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
S0 thrilled to see it put weight on it's leg and for it's foot to be flat. thats alot. maybe just giving it rest and time. Featherfinder has a muscovy female that is barely growing, and other than being small she is healthy, so maybe give this little one more time. ?I agree about smooth surfaces . keep it on soft surfaces where it can get traction.

 

[Oddyse]

My duck had this at a young age, turned out she actually broke her leg. Something you may need to watch out for is this, where my duck broke one leg, all the weight was taken on the other leg, now the broken leg has healed, her other leg is perminently damaged and she walks on the "knee" joint. In answer to your question on wether a duck can live ok with only one leg, yes they can. But you will need to be her primary care giver, as in make sure she eats, drinks bathes, etc. My ducky is fine now, walks strange but is a little fighter and gets about fine. She uses her wings like arms, to push herself back up if she falls over or to climb on stuff. My advice to you would just keep an eye on her, my other ducks used to bully her because of her disability, but because I took her out the pen and gave her treats in front of them, they know she now means treats so they be nice to her. I think your ducky will be fine, ducks are amazing animals at adapting, and im sure yours will be just fine. Remeber to give her loads of cuddles and loads of treats. You may need to make adaptions to her living area to help her get about, like in and out the pond, and into the duck house. But all in all you are in safe here, and so is your little ducky

 

[desertdarlene]

I'm glad you didn't cull. I feel that some people jump the gun a little bit when it comes to culling birds with defects. I've seen so many birds survive for years with all kinds of problems, even in the wild. I'm glad you gave him a chance. Now, if he can only catch up with his growth!

 

[bayyjayy]

Someone on another site actually told me I should call him Chance if he is a boy......but I think I may him that even if he is a she!!

She does have soft bedding in her brooder. In these pictures she was on my counter....but don't tell my hubby....he would NOT be happy about that!

I am glad I didn't cull her either.....I just felt that it was sad and not very nice to have a duck with only ONE leg. It looked just SO unnatural. This gal that helped me through it had a duck JUST like this one, but she never used her foot....though she lived and thrived and even hatched a clutch of eggs.....so that made me rethink my thoughts of having her put to sleep. I am glad I did, because she is doing soooo good. When I go in to take her to seperate her from the babies she is with so that I can make sure she is eating guess what she is doing?? EATING! So, I am not worried on that front. Another thing....and I HOPE THIS IS TRUE......I read that Anconas aren't very up to date on the whole pecking order, that even the lowest duck on the totem pole is treated with respect and kindness....SO.....I hope this is true, because she is gonna need some extra loving from her buddies. I wonder if she is going to grow to the size of her buddies, or if she will always be extra tiny. She is an adorable little twerp, and we love her to pieces!!!

Thanks for all your help and input! Appreciate it.

 

[DB_Tex]

Yep, ducks do do well with one leg often. I don't give up on my animals (of any species) unless they are in enormous pain I can't relieve, Or if the critter says in his/her way that she's done, glad you stuck it out for her! extra glad that she's recovering. When I got ducks, I didn't realize just how often and for so many reasons they go lame! I've only had ducks for 3 months and I've had 3 separate leg injuries with one little group of 5 ducks!

 

[bayyjayy]

I have to agree.....they do seem to have fragile legs! I also didn't realize how important feed is when it comes to ducks. Very overwhelming sometimes!!!!

 

[featherfinder]

How small is your duckie compared to her hatch mates? I have a micro scovy. She is 7 weeks and looks like 3 weeks old finally. And starting to get some feathers in now!! not many though.... You should see her next to her brother. He is about 4 times her size now and has all his feathers pretty much. She is completely healthy though. Just small and wont grow up! If yours is a boy name him Peter. Like Peter Pan! the boy who didnt want to grow up lol.