I am an employee at the local Murdochs. Today is my day off and I wanted to see the ducklings we just got in so I went in and low and behold, I spotted a little one eyed duckling in the tank. I decided that he (or she) must come home with me. The poor little thing has a hard time getting around so I put it in with my 3 week old chicks. One of my hens has taken a liking to it. Still my new little duck, which I named Linus, only wants to cuddle with my beagle. My beagle isn't pleased or interested in cuddling a duck. Does anyone out there have any experience with disabled ducks?
A bit, i had one lose an eye to a coon attack as a young duck. He did recover and basically coped fine. Keys were making sure things had routine and that you approached him on the right side, in other words with the only functioning eye. It's good he has a little companion, as they are flock animals, do always watch other birds as the sight will be compromised they aren't able to defend themselves as well. Hopefully, others will chime in. Good luck!
Welcome to the Duck Forum! Yes, we do have members with special needs ducks. I hope some of them can check in soon. See if the Stickies at the top of the page help you, and do some searches of the archives. And let us know more about how you, Linus, the chickens and beagle are doing.
I don't have a disabled duck but would think he would be okay. Maybe consider getting him another ducky friend that can moreso guide him in ducky ways. I did have a rescue duckling once that was raised by a young girl. He LOVED one of my Shih Tzu, who in turn loved him back but I don't have the patience for an indoor duck so he went outside to live with my older ducklings and did great.
Last week I got some pekin ducklings and saw one only had one eye! I didn't realize this at the time of purchase but it my favorite duck! She is doing well other than sometimes stumbling over stuff on her blind side occasionally.
I would be careful about your dog not taking a liking to this lil duckling, it would only take one bite. give the duckling a stuffed animal till you can get it a real duckling buddy, they really do much better with one of their own. All the best. Good for you!
My dogs don't get to see the chicks or duck without my supervision, especially being that their both hunting dogs. I put a stuffed animal in with the chicks and duckling. Linus loves to cuddle it and tries talking to the little hens but they're a bit stuck up. They do get rather upset when I reach in to check on the duck, they gather around Linus and yell at me. It's rather cute. So far so good though, this duck has already grown on me more than my chicks!
They do have a really precious personality don't they. forgot to say Welcome to BYC's duck thread. hope we get to see pics soon.
Welcome to BYC! It sounds like you have a special little duckling! There's a Pekin Club thread if you are interested. I know everyone would love to see this special little one
Linus is getting used to his new home, I'm assuming it's a boy. I think he's still getting used to his limited vision as well. He'll occasionally start spinning around in circles when he's trying to look at one of the chicks bouncing around the brooder. He's found the water but I haven't seen him eat or poop yet; but it's hard to tell with all the chicken poop in the shavings. I sprinkled some chick starter on the ground where he likes to hang out and peck around so he's getting that food. I'll see if he's interested in a private breakfast with me tomorrow; scrambled eggs and oatmeal.
