newly hatched ducklings-1 gimpy

[chickenlisa]

" .... 15 ducklings...1 duckling's leg is not right. Its walking (if you can call it that) on its little elbow (?) with the foot extended out in front. I know what has to be done,I think, b/c it can never live a normal life like this. Is there anything to help fix it that I should do? It hatched this morning and I wasn't home to watch if it had trouble or an injury during or after it hatched."

I'm quoting myself from my incubating and hatching thread about my pips and chicks w/ new pics added...not sure what to do..Its about 36 hrs old now and still hopping/gimping along and falling over some in the hubbub of 14 other ducklings...
Is there anything I can do like splinting or something other than putting it down? It just won't stand up on it...it extends it in front of it and somehow gets going.

 

[DuckLady]

It sounds like a slipped tendon.
It is an easy fix if you catch it early. The tendon on the leg popped out of the "groove" it is supposed to be in. If you can feel where it goes, you can sometimes gently roll it back into place. Or if you have a vet nearby, try giving them a call.

Where are you located? Try finding a rehabber or rescuer near you un my Duck Rescue link.

 

[chickenlisa]

Thanks! I'll def check for that. I'm in NW NJ....I'll ask our vet too if they ever see poultry...I've never needed them to so I don't know for sure.
I'll let you know after I do....
Lisa

 

[chickenlisa]

Well, now for the end of the story ... sad ending though.
I had checked and rechecked for a slipped tendon on Gimpy. It didn't help any. She just walked more and more abnormally.In the past week or so, the others have grown tremendously, but she was still a tiny bugger, trying to keep up with them. My 10 yr old daughter was giving her extra time alone with her, and teaching her how to hold her leg straight and walk more normally. Well, today when I went out to clean out their brooder box and refill the food and water containers, I only counted 14 ducklings and couldn't find Gimpy. I thought that it was impossible that she'd jump out, of all of those ducklings. I ended up finding her trampled in the bedding....all wet and dead. How sad for that little fighter. She tried to keep up and didn't let her gimpy leg hold her back. The end just came too quickly for us all, but especially my daughter. She cried and cried, and thought it was just so unfair. So for Gimpy and all others like her, I cheer them on for their brave efforts. RIP little one.
This was her in front to the right of her brothers and sisters...just a few days ago.

Lisa