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

[coopstudent]

Congrats that the little guy seems to be holding his own for now and appears to be doing well! You have a really kind heart and are obviously very caring and nurturing!! I wish you the best of luck!

 

[teach1rusl]

Quote:
I don't think anyone was trying to guilt the OP into giving the duckling a chance. I think everyone would understand if that was not possible for any reason, whether it was the OP's lack of time or money resources or her/his assessment that the duckling's quality of life would be very limited. Speaking for myself, I was glad it was not MY decision, because it's a tough one for all of the reason's you mentioned.

But if the assessment is that duckling COULD have a good life, and the OP DOES have the time and willingness to work with it, then the duckling does stand a good chance to live a long, pleasant life. And there's nothing wrong with a lot of people hoping for the that.

I hope your little silkie chick makes it, and I'm sorry if it has to be culled.

It sounds like you've done what you can to help it. Sometimes things work out, and sometimes they don't.

 

[ilovechickens]

My vet has a cat that is blind in one eye, and it has a pirates patch on its eye, it is really kind of cute, I just went to do my second water and feed changing for my chicks and I was doing a head count and I was missing one Red Leghorn, I found her on her back, pinched between the feeder and the side of the brooder, she was cold but chirping. I put her right under the heat lamp, and made here a basket and put her in her own makeshift brooder. I could not cull her because she was still alive and chirping. Heck the only thing that I can kill are bugs:/ Many animals have handicaps, if you are able to care for it and the duckling doesn't seem to be in distress, give it a chance, again these are only my thoughts, my husband came down stairs and was laughing at me because I was fretting over a little chick, but that is me. Please keep us posted.

 

[RachelFromTheBlackLagoon]

So glad s/he's doing well so far!!!

 

[LittlePriceFarm]

beautiful ducky i got a big place in my heart for deformed animals!

 

[Wifezilla]

I think most of the responses were very practical and realistic.

Special needs animals do take a lot of time and can gobble up resources. I would never condemn someone for culling. But like a lot of people here, we just don't take something that isn't perfect and kill it right off. A lot of us even suggested rehoming if time and money were an issue.

 

[ellieroo]

He doesn't know he is blind ? No trauma or drama on his part it will just be his life! if he has a fence to live behind ,it may amaze one and all what he can do with out sight.

 

[haleyh-LHP]

That picture kind of makes it look like its eyes are just closed?

I'm sorry though, poor baby.

 

[ultasol]

Comments like, "You have a really kind heart and are obviously very caring and nurturing," would seem to imply, although I am certain it is unintentional, that to do otherwise (aka to euthanize) would indicate that the person was NOT kind, caring, and nurturing.

I rehome my healthy 'culls', birds that don't meet my goals but are otherwise healthy, but I won't pass along a crippled or unhealthy animal as I have no idea how the other person will be able to take care of them, and because I don't want to pass along my problems.

It sounds like this defect is, in the overall picture, likely not horrid. Unlike birds with stump legs that are easily irritated, or birds that can't walk, or birds that can't eat naturally, it sounds like it doesn't have any problems that would cause it undue distress or pain with proper care. In the case of the bird I am currently debating to cull or not, the picture is different, but based on posts on this thread and many others I am certain I would be told by many people (although perhaps not you, Wifezilla) not to cukll it. It's adorable, it's cute, it wants to eat and drink-- but it can't hold itself upright and cannot walk at this point. It seems as though one leg is stuck in a bent position and the joint is fixed. Sure, someone could probably put it in a cradle device and put water and feed under it's nose, and cuddle and hold it, but I don't feel this would be the best choice for the bird.

Sometimes, it's kindest to cull.

 

[Chickengal505]

I'm gonna say what i'm gonna say and you can juge me if you want but i could care less. So the ducky's born without eyes or is blind heck look at Helen Keler she didn't care she had a willing wise and kind adviser to help her though and if the owner already has specal needs pets she can BE that adviser and if she dosn't who says she can't LEARN!!!!!! theres a first for every thing people who says this can't be one of them!? If he's in pain yes she should cull him but other wise look at other animals... there are blind dogs and cats arn't there? Who says the duck cant be blind and happy? animals help blind humans see why cant humans help blind animals see then??? All this reminds me of challotes web that old book about the pig...