Pekin Duckling 12 Days Cant Walk or Balance - Need Assistance

[Silverladyrae]

Thanks! We haven't tried walking or standing yet, I tricked him into sleeping before we put it on, so he fought for a minute, then passed back out. He's randomly waking up and kicking a lil, but he's already done some preening without my help since his legs can't kick out from under him. I'm so excited!! He's currently just laying on my lap asleep. I'll update when we try.

 

[Haunted55]

Thanks! We haven't tried walking or standing yet, I tricked him into sleeping before we put it on, so he fought for a minute, then passed back out. He's randomly waking up and kicking a lil, but he's already done some preening without my help since his legs can't kick out from under him. I'm so excited!! He's currently just laying on my lap asleep. I'll update when we try.

Awesome job! If you can get him on the B Complex vitamins asap. In fact, with this little guy 1/2 a B Complex, super or not, crushed and then added to 1 qt. of water might be a good thing. B vitamins are water soluable so there is a almost no chance of him getting too much of it. I would also continue with the Niacin as well. If anything is going to work it'll be the Bs. I don't know the amount of the vitamin E you are giving them, but do not up that. E is a fat soluable one and will build up at the wrong dosing.

Don't worry about the water....I had one like that as well and I think it had to do with the fact she didn't feel comfortable because she was unsure of her ability to 'protect' herself. Trust me, they get over it quick once they feel more in control. Now she is the first one in and last one out when they have their pools available. She has even gone so far as to chase the geese away so she can have the water to herself, lol.

 

[duckboy123]

The more you do the water therapy the more acostume to it he will become

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hows your duckling doing today?

 

[Silverladyrae]

Hi all, just wanted to do a quick update. Thanks again for everyone's help! Huey is about the same, no worse thankfully. We've tried the hobble for several days and at first it appeared to be working, but then he figured out how to bypass it and still stand on his feet own feet, but after observing the other ducklings he doesn't seem to do it any worse than the others, he just has the balance issue to compound it, so we stopped the hobbling. I have done a lil bit of water therapy with him, he still hates it but is slowly growing accustomed to it. I set him up so he can still touch, and he is realizing he can float and uses that to speed around till he tumbles over. But better than expected. He is still requiring feeding, I will put pics below of the new setup I have for him as I am going out of town and my hubby wont be able to come home and feed every 2-3 hours so I've got him in a box, with windows so he's not lonely, with poles he can rest against to get around and eat and drink on his own. Did it last night and so far so good!! Right now it's just rigged, so please disregard the tape and general "ugly". I'm still working on getting him a walker made, but my attempts so far haven't worked. I had a model set up that he was actually able to take several steps in, but it was a flimsy prototype. Hubby is getting me some PVC to build him something like Lemon the Duck has.

I wanted to make sure to post pics, both for y'all and for any other poor sap who ends up in my shoes as other than y'alls help, I found NOTHING online to assist me with Huey.
I used the link I found on the site for the duck waterer system to keep them from getting water everywhere and it is AWESOME. Pic included of that too. All night long and still dry bedding! YAY!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Aww thank you for giving us an update on Huey, All i can say is how special you are for going the extra mile for him, and hope that eventually you'll be rewarded with him up and about with the rest of his flock. He is one speical duck and has a very special care giver. Keep up with the TLC. Water therapy sounds like is helping some if nothing else building his confidence.

 

[Silverladyrae]

Aww, thank you, that's very nice of you to say. I keep waiting for friends and family to give me the "what have you done now" but surprisingly, everyone thinks it's awesome. My dad wants daily updates and my father in law was even trying to help me fabricate the walker for him. The hardest part at this point will be taking them to their new home several weeks from now. Other than the late night cheeping (Im in a hotel 500 miles away and I swear I can still hear Louise doing her car alarm impression)and the poo everywhere when they are loose, we are really enjoying having them. Not being a "bird" person, I didn't think I would get attached, but I can't help myself. They have personalities and respond like other pets. My big dog has started crying when they cry, and my small dog (very jealous papillon) actually gave Huey a kiss on the bill the other morning! The cats pretend they don't notice them, but arent even pretend stalking them anymore; these lil guys have really become part of the family!

 

[erinkkirkley]

Glad you found out about Lemon the duck. I have a Pekin I saved from a "big box store" that would have died of starvation. I tried vitamins and niacin as well to no avail. My sweet Pekin's name is Danger and he is somewhat of a celebrity now around my hometown since I take him with me everywhere. I have realized having a duck with a neurological issue is very similar to having a newborn and it is a big responsibility but it helps to know there are others out there. I am in the process of building his second walker (he grew out of the first one) which gives him some exercise and freedom. Danger sounds allot like your Huey, full of energy and wanting so badly to jump and run. Danger is getting pretty big now and can prop himself up in a clear plastic box I bought for travel. He can see through the box when laying down which relieves his anxiety. He LOVES all people and loves to be held like a baby. I have resigned to the fact that he will never be able to swim in my lake or be outside on his own. Now I know this isn't easy, not a responsibility to be taken lightly. I am a stay at home care giver to my grandmother and mom to my two kids, so I have the luxury of being at home with Danger all day. He requires constant care to insure he is stimulated physically and mentally and gets the food and water he needs.
The swimming issues sound about the same. Danger could swim on his own till two weeks old and I had him in the water once or twice a day at that point hoping he would get stronger. His balance issue got worse after that point and he would flip to his back in the water and erratically back paddle. I found that if he is having a good day (concentrating) I can lightly hold his head straight and he can "swim" a few laps in our big sink before he gets too frustrated. Alternatively I put him in a large bowl or a dog bowl with a few inches of water so he can dip his head and splash. Everyday I learn new things that he has fun doing and that keep him happy. I guess you just need to make it up as you go along... I'm way past the point of taking other's advise and putting him down, so I'm in for the long haul. He is a member of the family and we all take turns with his "care". Good luck to you and Huey!

Danger a few days old. He stayed in my pocket for a while until I got in trouble taking him to the grocery store :/

Danger in his bed, he sleeps in my room with me so he is not alone at night.

Danger passed out on our road trip to Orlando. He sleeps on his belly now.

Danger with his sock diaper on. Easy to make. I have a new diaper on order and will let you know how it works out...

Danger in his first walker. Made of wood and tiny nails. He was so strong he tore it apart so I glued it and it worked great

Danger and his Bantam chick friends. They love when he visits and are very social and sweet to him! Surprised me!

 

[erinkkirkley]

Here is a duck in a sling... Kinda wish he had panned up and shown how he rigged it.

 

[erinkkirkley]

This is Danger using his old walker