wheresbigfoot
Songster
BYC helped with the last hatch so here I am again- this site is amazing- but I'll get to the story...
I'll start with the details then add my thoughts or questions below the details
- The mother is a Khaki Campbell (name is Peepers) the father is a Rouen/Welsh Harlequin mix (Ralph or Bob)
Much to my surprise Peepers decided it was time to nest. She started with 5 eggs and sat wonderfully. I let nature take its course , let her do it without any interface. I did section off her area as one hen would try to get in there and take over. I only checked eggs three times, tried to get an approximate hatch date and check development . She ended up tossing 3 eggs out of the nest. I checked for the last time last Thursday , saw movement and got duckling stuff ready. Woke up on Saturday morning to one dry fluffy duckling. Peepers continued to sit on last egg. Saturday night I heard lots of activity and checked for the other duckling . I found the first one in the corner of her nest box crying loudly, noticed a little blood so I took her (I don't know the sex but I'll stick with "her" for now) out immediately and took over care. Peep still laying on last egg. The duckling had cuts on her bill and can't move one leg . My first thought was a niacin deficiency or mom hurt the leg. I have starter food and added some nutritional yeast to it hoping this would boost her niacin and get that leg moving . She gets stronger every day and tries to walk. The foot won't flatten out like the other one. She hobbles/scoots to get around. I'll attach all of the pictures I have in hopes I can get another idea of what to do to help her. I don't mind giving her extra care but would like to see her walk.
- today I added niacin tablets to her water (100-120 ish mg per gallon) and didn't add the yeast this time.
- I put her in a warm small pool to get some exercise ( I do not leave her unattended , dry her off well, shes in for 10 minutes or so)
- she eats, drinks and poops well
- naps a lot
- tries to walk all the time and likes to stand while resting on something for balance
- does not seem hurt when I touch the leg
I'm not sure what to do now.. I've read through the forums on leg/foot issues but not sure what my next step should be. Looking for ideas or advice or a possible diagnosis and how to help her .. should I ..make shoes? ..add leg splints? .. more physical therapy ? .. diy a duck chair? .. wheelchair? Duckling walker thing? Something else?
Is the foot/leg swollen ? Is there a specific post or articles I should read that I missed? Maybe the leg is just lame? Broken? Paralyzed?
Any help at all would be amazing
I'll start with the details then add my thoughts or questions below the details
- The mother is a Khaki Campbell (name is Peepers) the father is a Rouen/Welsh Harlequin mix (Ralph or Bob)
Much to my surprise Peepers decided it was time to nest. She started with 5 eggs and sat wonderfully. I let nature take its course , let her do it without any interface. I did section off her area as one hen would try to get in there and take over. I only checked eggs three times, tried to get an approximate hatch date and check development . She ended up tossing 3 eggs out of the nest. I checked for the last time last Thursday , saw movement and got duckling stuff ready. Woke up on Saturday morning to one dry fluffy duckling. Peepers continued to sit on last egg. Saturday night I heard lots of activity and checked for the other duckling . I found the first one in the corner of her nest box crying loudly, noticed a little blood so I took her (I don't know the sex but I'll stick with "her" for now) out immediately and took over care. Peep still laying on last egg. The duckling had cuts on her bill and can't move one leg . My first thought was a niacin deficiency or mom hurt the leg. I have starter food and added some nutritional yeast to it hoping this would boost her niacin and get that leg moving . She gets stronger every day and tries to walk. The foot won't flatten out like the other one. She hobbles/scoots to get around. I'll attach all of the pictures I have in hopes I can get another idea of what to do to help her. I don't mind giving her extra care but would like to see her walk.
- today I added niacin tablets to her water (100-120 ish mg per gallon) and didn't add the yeast this time.
- I put her in a warm small pool to get some exercise ( I do not leave her unattended , dry her off well, shes in for 10 minutes or so)
- she eats, drinks and poops well
- naps a lot
- tries to walk all the time and likes to stand while resting on something for balance
- does not seem hurt when I touch the leg
I'm not sure what to do now.. I've read through the forums on leg/foot issues but not sure what my next step should be. Looking for ideas or advice or a possible diagnosis and how to help her .. should I ..make shoes? ..add leg splints? .. more physical therapy ? .. diy a duck chair? .. wheelchair? Duckling walker thing? Something else?
Is the foot/leg swollen ? Is there a specific post or articles I should read that I missed? Maybe the leg is just lame? Broken? Paralyzed?
Any help at all would be amazing
