OMG!!! Duck born without eyes! ***UPDATE!! 11/01 with pics***

[QuinnP]

dont kill it just cuz its disabled. It can still live a good life.

 

[schellie69]

I say if you have the resources then I would try and keep the duck. Since it is more then likely blind from birth it will not know any thing different so it should do fine, just give it lots of attention and make sure to watch the other ducks don't pick on it or something like that, they might even help it out who knows. all my dogs are rescures from abusive households so i would try and leave it in God's hands.

 

[The Chicken Lady]

Lots of good advice here...

I agree with assessing whether or not you can provide it with quality of life (it sounds like you can).

If you couldn't, then the wise thing would be to either find someone who is willing to adopt a special needs animal, or cull it humanely.

It's probably not one that you would want to breed, so if you are planning to hatch eggs from your ducks in the future, you would want to separate it from the others while gathering the eggs for hatching. People who are more familiar with ducks would be able to give you a time period for "quarantine" during mating.

 

[teach1rusl]

Quote:

Glad to hear he/she's eating and drinking well; that's a great sign! If she ends up making it, you should name her Lucky Ducky!

 

[Bare bottom farm]

Quote:
Thank you for giving it a chance! Would we all not like someone to show us kindness...

 

[Wifezilla]

A agree with the Chicken Lady.

First issue for me is always "Is the animal suffering?"

A duck born without eyes COULD have other defects, but if it doesn't appear to be in pain, eats, drinks and poos, etc... I would give it a chance or rehome it to someone who has a heart for special needs animals.

 

[luvchicks8]

So glad you decided to care for this special duck

 

[backdoorchicken]

Quote:
bless you

 

[ultasol]

I think some people here saying, "Keep it," haven't thought out the consequences of the choices facing the owner of this animal. A handicapped animal needs more care, more time, and, often, more expense than a normal bird. If the person does not have the time, facilities, or means to care for such an animal it is better off being euthanized as a young bird.

Those who have handicapped birds can attest to this. Often handicaps can also lead to reduced quality of life for animals. Unlike humans faced with a handicap, there are no programs or subsidized nursing care for crippled animals. It is a serious commitment.

There is no shame in knowing your limitations or in euthanizing a crippled bird. I have a silkie chick out in the brooder that I have been trying to correct the legs of since hatch three days ago. One leg appears to be unable to bend at all. If there is no improvement in two days I will euthanize the chick. I know I don't have the facilities necessary to care for such a special needs bird. When I am unable to be here all day, I don't want to think about the bird sitting in it's own filth, or crawling (as of now, it cannot walk) through feces.

With a blind animal, it will need additional protection from predation, always need to have a 'seeing eye duck', and it may need to be led to food and water. It is the OP's decision, and not as easy as saying, "Oh, but all cute duckies deserve a chance to live." To cull or not to cull also involves thinking of the animal's future,. and the animal's quality of life.

 

[bufforp89]

I know that it is going to take alot of time and patience to raise the blind duck and I have lots of both so Im going to give it a try. I have plans to take it to an vet in about a week (if it survives) to be checked out for any other defects. Luckily I have a great vet in the area with lots of bird experience that I have used before.

If the duck survives I plan on keeping it as in indoor pet so that it does not have to compeat for food and water while in with the other ducks and chickens, I have a pretty large flock so I am thinking it would be hard for a blind duck. I also have a great job that will allow me to bring it when I need to as he has to be handfed.

So far the duck had been eating, pooping and drinking well. It acts just like any other duckling and has already learned to come to the sound of my voice. He is really very cute once you get past the fact that he is missing an eye and the other one is not open. I am fully prepared to have it euthanized if it looks like it is for the better but for now he is doing pretty well so we will have to wait and see!