My duck is unable to walk

[Izidor]

Two weeks ago I went to my garden to put my ducks away before dark. I've checked on them an hour before that and everything seemed fine. It was already dusk and I couldn't see clearly but I was able to distinguish a body on the floor. One of the ducks was laying on her back and was barely moving. I was afraid something has attacked her so I brought her to the porch where I could see better. I couldn't see any flesh wounds and she was able to paddle her feet, however when I put her on her feet she would always floop. I separated her from the rest of the flock for the night. In the morning nothing has changed and she was still unable to walk. I bought her some vitamins and some stronger food, but nothing seems to help. It's been two weeks and there's been no improvement whatsoever. She's lying with her feet weirdly extendend and her right side appears as if she's had a stroke. Even if I put her in water she eventually ends on her back. She's also unable to defecate properly and feces just sort of fall out of her whenever I pick her up. I've talked to a friend of mine who deals in duck breeding and he told me that's she's done for. Does anyone have any similar experieces and can tell me what has happened and what can be done in this situation. I'm running out of options.

Thank you.

 

[Ratchnick]

Pictures might help.

 

[Miss Lydia]

What age breed and last time laid an egg if female?

 

[Duck_life]

What breed? How old? What do you feed them? Do you think she is over weight? Maybe a predator chased her and she hurt her legs? Try putting her in water so she can use her feet.. hopefully she'll be able to swim and strengthen her legs. Try liquid B complex. @Miss Lydia will have much more information on this than I will. Oh also look at the bottom of her feet and check for bumblefoot https://www.metzerfarms.com/Bumblefoot.cfm

 

[Izidor]

It's and indian runner duck, about 2.5 yo. I feed them mostly corn, but they also eat snails, worms and some products from the garden. She's not overweight. I'm positive it's not anything external (I've checked her for wounds and infections). It's like half her body became unresponsive.

 

[Duck_life]

It's and indian runner duck, about 2.5 yo. I feed them mostly corn, but they also eat snails, worms and some products from the garden. She's not overweight. I'm positive it's not anything external (I've checked her for wounds and infections). It's like half her body became unresponsive.

Oh no, you made the same mistake as I did. Corn is a treat, or something to put in their food, not to eat whole and everyday. You should start feeding them duck feed. Poultry feed for ducks has vitamins that ducks need. https://www.thespruce.com/what-do-ducks-eat-386552 Although some do get away with feeding their poultry just corn, some don't. One of my chickens died of lack of vitamins because I only fed her and her sister corn. She could be trying to lay and has no calcium to do so.

 

[Sara Ranch]

Ducks need a high protein diet. They also need a good source of niacin and selenium.

I ferment the meat bird feed so the animals can absorb more nutrients.

I also put apple cider vinegar in the water to help prevent parasites.

 

[Duck_life]

Ducks need a high protein diet. They also need a good source of niacin and selenium.

I ferment the meat bird feed so the animals can absorb more nutrients.

I also put apple cider vinegar in the water to help prevent parasites.

X2, they need high nutrients and vitamins since they eat so much during the day, I observe my chickens and ducks and compare them, while the chickens love running around and playing with each other (pecking at things, being curious, running around the woods and field) the ducks swim with each other and love to eat anything they find, though they are not fast and can easily break something while running/being chased/ being mated if they are not on the food they need, nutrients, calcium,vitamins.

 

[Duckfarmer1]

Yes with everything they said..cut out the corn now and I would soak her in Epsom salts to relax those muscles. In case it is egg related. Maybe some probiotics for the bowels? Ask Miss Lydia...just in case, check the wing that seems affected in case it is a strok..see if she can extend it? Check again for puncture wounds?

 

[Miss Lydia]

@Izidor any update on your little Runner?