- Dec 4, 2013
- 6
- 0
- 7
Hi all,
Dizzy is our special duck who is blind and, more than likely, brain damaged from delayed hatching. We have always said that if he ever seems like he's not coping, we'll 'do the right thing' but he continues to amaze us every day. He is now 6 months old. He has trouble controlling his neck and sometimes falls over but can get to his food and water. We were putting him in a pond everyday while it was sunny and, despite swimming in circles, he seemed to thoroughly enjoy and was capable of preening. Over the last couple of weeks we've been having a lot of work done outside so have had to keep all poultry/waterfowl in a much smaller area (no pond, not much space, its been awful but had to be done) with just buckets for washing and drinking. I let everyone out today for a stretch as builders aren't here and noticed that Dizzy was dirtier than the other ducks so has obviously not been preening so well in his water bucket. We filled the paddling pool for him and put him in and he was soon joined by the others (who really look out for him, its so lovely) but when he came out he was soaking and cold! His lack of preening over the last week or so seems to have reduced his waterproofing greatly. I rubbed him down with a towel and warmed him but have no ideas how to 'oil him back up' so to speak.. I spose time will tell as to whether he will do it himself but have any of you got any ideas? Was thinking Id give him a warm bath everyday rather than his cold pool, but apart from keeping him relatively clean, I don't know if that will help and I can't do that long term... He's such a happy boy usually, I hope he can be sorted. Suggestions to reestablish preening (or to do it for him) gratefully received.. x
Dizzy is our special duck who is blind and, more than likely, brain damaged from delayed hatching. We have always said that if he ever seems like he's not coping, we'll 'do the right thing' but he continues to amaze us every day. He is now 6 months old. He has trouble controlling his neck and sometimes falls over but can get to his food and water. We were putting him in a pond everyday while it was sunny and, despite swimming in circles, he seemed to thoroughly enjoy and was capable of preening. Over the last couple of weeks we've been having a lot of work done outside so have had to keep all poultry/waterfowl in a much smaller area (no pond, not much space, its been awful but had to be done) with just buckets for washing and drinking. I let everyone out today for a stretch as builders aren't here and noticed that Dizzy was dirtier than the other ducks so has obviously not been preening so well in his water bucket. We filled the paddling pool for him and put him in and he was soon joined by the others (who really look out for him, its so lovely) but when he came out he was soaking and cold! His lack of preening over the last week or so seems to have reduced his waterproofing greatly. I rubbed him down with a towel and warmed him but have no ideas how to 'oil him back up' so to speak.. I spose time will tell as to whether he will do it himself but have any of you got any ideas? Was thinking Id give him a warm bath everyday rather than his cold pool, but apart from keeping him relatively clean, I don't know if that will help and I can't do that long term... He's such a happy boy usually, I hope he can be sorted. Suggestions to reestablish preening (or to do it for him) gratefully received.. x
