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

[fancbrd4me02]

Quote:
I agree, sometimes it is kindest to cull. It sounds like the silkie would not have much of a life, especially without a sling and a lot of attention. If an animal can't live a quality life, it should be culled. I have a crippled chicken, and I decided to keep her and make special accomadations for her based on the criteria of quality of life. First, I determined that she either has no pain, of has so little pain as to be undetectable and not impairing her ability to behave relatively normally (eat, drink, fly around, forage, etc.). She is crippled, but not unhappy. I think this duck might be fine as long as there is nothing else wrong with it and it can be cared for properly. Blindness does not have to be a death sentance in all cases, and it does not mean the duck is suffering. Does that make the OP bad if she does decide to cull? Of course not, because we all try to do the best we can as stewards of our animals. The decision is hers, and it is a huge undertaking to take care of a crippled animal or person. I think people are complimenting (the blind duck owner) not because choosing to cull is wrong or makes her better than anyone else, but because we recognize the major commitment and difficulty in trying to accomadate a animal with this level of impairment.

 

[Silkiefan]

Here's a thought: donate it to a school.
A lot of teachers use animals (and what better animal but a "handicapped" animal) to teach compassion, acceptance and empathy for other people or animals born with differences. My kids learned a lot by us owning some special needs pets, and as a result, were always first to befriend "differently abled" kids at school.

 

[SilverPhoenix]

Quote:
I agree, sometimes it is kindest to cull. It sounds like the silkie would not have much of a life, especially without a sling and a lot of attention. If an animal can't live a quality life, it should be culled. I have a crippled chicken, and I decided to keep her and make special accomadations for her based on the criteria of quality of life. First, I determined that she either has no pain, of has so little pain as to be undetectable and not impairing her ability to behave relatively normally (eat, drink, fly around, forage, etc.). She is crippled, but not unhappy. I think this duck might be fine as long as there is nothing else wrong with it and it can be cared for properly. Blindness does not have to be a death sentance in all cases, and it does not mean the duck is suffering. Does that make the OP bad if she does decide to cull? Of course not, because we all try to do the best we can as stewards of our animals. The decision is hers, and it is a huge undertaking to take care of a crippled animal or person. I think people are complimenting (the blind duck owner) not because choosing to cull is wrong or makes her better than anyone else, but because we recognize the major commitment and difficulty in trying to accomadate a animal with this level of impairment.

Exactly what I wanted to say! And I just want to add that I think there are definitely plenty of situations where culling is definitely the kinder and more compassionate choice. It's all about quality of life. If an animal seems happy (by the best of our objective judgments) and not in pain, and someone is willing to care for it, then I just think it deserves the chance to live.

 

[sunket77]

speaking as a person who had no choice to cull a baby chick, we should be more careful about comparing humans and animals. I believe God gave us charge over the animals to take care of them to the best we can. I am very glad that that the OP has the time and experience to take care and give the little one a chance! I had a 3 mo. chick with a respiratory infection and tried several kinds of antibiotics which did not work. I was out of money for medicine. It was hard, the little guy was chirping, scratching and taking dust baths. But not growing and struggled to breath. Was I to risk the rest of my flock to keep the chick alive? Culling is a part of keeping poultry and I was hoping to never have to do it. So I think we should be more careful about making culling sound like a cruel act, which I have read a lot of as of late on here. This is one of the best informative sites on the web and has helped me tremendously with taking care of my fuzzy but spoiled chickens!

 

[Wifezilla]

I think there are definitely plenty of situations where culling is definitely the kinder and more compassionate choice. It's all about quality of life. If an animal seems happy (by the best of our objective judgments) and not in pain, and someone is willing to care for it, then I just think it deserves the chance to live.

 

[hensonly]

Quote:
Just be careful about what would happen to the duck when the school year was over, and during vacations, on weekends, etc. Classroom pets are great, but they require the same care as pets at home. Be sure someone responsible is designated to care for the bird, because if "anyone cares for it", then no one will! Other than that - great idea!

 

[backdoorchicken]

how is the duckie?


i

that you are trying to care for it.

 

[bufforp89]

This morning the duck is still doing really well. Eating and drinking and pooping and just being a duck. He is really pretty cute once you can get past the fact that there is no eye on one side and not much of one on the other. Im pretty sure that the other eye will never open up and function correctly. I have a vet appt early thursday morning so he can have a wellness checkup and we will also be making sure that there is nothing wrong inside.

I will try to post some pics later today but for now Duck and I have to get ready for work.

 

[chickenzoo]

Maybe you can glue some googly eyes on him so he doesn't look freaky................ wait.... I think that would be more freaky......

Just joking, .......glad he is doing well.( I always use humor at home to try and deal with a complicated situation)..... smiling makes everything better. Glad he has you to look after him.

 

[sarjaysar]

personally I think its fantastic that you have given duckie the opportunity to live life. Yes granted in the wild it probably wouldn't have lasted very long, but duckie isn't in the wild!!

Make sure you don't move the food and water around, so it always knows where to go to get it and that it has a safe place to sleep at night. I'm sure it'll do just fine! Its amazing how the other senses take over when one is missing and i'm sure that goes for all animals. There is a video of a blind duck on youtube that looks like its having amazing fun! Its worth a try isn't it??!!