Not About Chickens but This is About my Duck who has Something Wrong with it's Legs/Feet

[NewChickMom29]

I'm in need of some help or maybe a way to cure my concerns about my duckling. I got four baby ducks probably almost 2 months ago now. They have been growing beautifully and haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary. However, yesterday it was brought to my attention by my mom and sister, who help me with the ducks/my chicken while I'm working, that my duck has something wrong with it's legs. Where the joint that connects the duck's flippers with the legs meet, it looks like the bone isn't as strong as it should be. It looks like both legs are broken in this spot but nothing like this happened, as far as I saw or noticed! She is clumbsy, falling over, having a hard time standing up or running really well because of this. I have fed them duck crumbles, given them treats as extra nutrition/vitamins, give them probiotics/electrolytes (I don't add extra vitamins to their food or water but maybe I should to help her get enough calcium to strengthen her bones or something that might help her development?!?) and I'm worried I have done everything in regards to adding extra things to their diet to help her legs. I believe it's a her, so to help you know which duck I'm speaking of I'm going to call the duck a she. I am in desperate need!! She seems to not be bothered by her legs being like this but I would like to make it better if at all possible! If it's a deficiency in a certain vitamin that isn't beifn absorbed right in her body or maybe a brace or something I could out on her legs to help her out...? I want to try all I can first and see if it's a concern before spending a fortune to have a vet look at her or something! I'm kinda in a right spot financially where I have been able to make ends meet, take care of my feathery and furry friends at home, plus take care of my kiddos/home/myself. So, a vet would put me in a difficult spot and would be stupid to have them come out if they aren't needed. I'm keeping an eye on her and her legs, seeing if they straighten back up or if they get better and she walks/runs better but wanted to see what everybody says first that has been doing this longer than me!

 

[L0rraine]

I can only go with my gut here as I’m no expert. I’ve found that with good nutrition and limited exercise the few bad leg issues I’ve had have resolved themselves enough so my birds can have a normal or reasonably normal active life. I would try to limit how much time she has to try to walk or run on them in case that gives them a chance to heal.

Hopefully someone else can weigh in who has had a similar experience.

 

[Cecisflock]

do they have a pond to swim in and strengthen her legs?

 

[NewChickMom29]

I have to buy a new one but yeah. It's not super deep though...

 

[NewChickMom29]

You still were super helpful honestly! I didn't think of minimizing the exercise because of how difficult that is! I notice she doesn't stand up on it a lot like the other 3 do but she lays down instead. My other two ducks I raised from.babies didn't have such a problem like this!

 

[NewChickMom29]

I have to buy a new one but yeah. It's not super deep though...

The old on had a hole in it. Actually I'm going to buy one now lol