Pekin Duckling 12 Days Cant Walk or Balance - Need Assistance

[Haunted55]

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!

What an awesome story! There is a quote, I wish I could remember the exact wording, but it says you can tell a lot about a person by the way they treat their animals. You and Silverladyrae are an inspiration and an ideal for the rest of us to aspire to. Thank-you so much for sharing!

 

[Haunted55]

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

I am doing something like this for one of mine. I've used a draw slide, small diameter nylon rope and a swivel hook that will go to the actual sling my duck Sydney will be in. What would work better, if I can find one, is the channels that have the hooks in them for an accordion door. No clue what they're called and so far haven't been able to find what I want. Either too light or way too heavy. This would be much better than the slide as it would offer more area that could be covered.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I am doing something like this for one of mine. I've used a draw slide, small diameter nylon rope and a swivel hook that will go to the actual sling my duck Sydney will be in. What would work better, if I can find one, is the channels that have the hooks in them for an accordian door. No clue what they're called and so far haven't been able to find what I want. Either too light or way too heavy. This would be much better than the slide as it would offer more area that could be covered.

Pretty cool idea. and a heart warming story.

 

[Silverladyrae]

Awesome write up Erin, thank you!!! I am glad you shared, it is so hard to find anything on this issue to help other than "put them down, not worth the effort". You aren't kidding, I don't have children, but these guys are ALOT of work. Worth it tho. Currently I work from home so I am able to clean up after them and get them the time they need with no issue. And tho he fusses, my hubby does it when I am not home, and even enjoys them tho he wont admit it. He is terribly afraid of getting attached, he's probably worse than I am, so he's "trying" to keep some distance.

I am happy to report that Huey (and Dewey and Louise) are doing really well. While I was out of town for 3 days Huey almost doubled in size in his new "box", where I have rigged a better system for him to keep his footing. I guess being able to get to his food and water all the time really made a difference!! His walking is most definitely improving, as long as he doesn't get over excited, he can actually make it a few feet now in a dash before falling over. I started all three on kale in the water to get them accustomed to it, and after being mobbed on multiple occasions trying to put it in a water bowl, I now put it in a large bin they can climb in and chase it around in. Pics below.

Yesterday my husband suggested showing them the pond. I wish I had captured video! I was too busy hovering on Huey, but after walking him to the water and wading in myself, he LOVED it. Dewey and Louise weren't so sure, but after they saw him getting into deeper water, they hopped in too! Everyone thought it was great. They even started diving! I'll post some links of video I got today. After 2 pond visits today, Huey has let me know he wants to be IN THE WATER. Even in the bin on the patio, he doesn't want to sit outside and drink, he wants to float. I think he is noticing how much better he does when in the water, perhaps its giving him confidence.

The 2 others are already mostly waterproof, but I let him play till he's soaking wet, then towel him off and let them all sun before more swimming. As long as Huey keeps progressing at this rate, I THINK he's going to be okay. Can any of you experienced duck folks please take a look at his video and let me know your thoughts? If he isn't able to move on to the pond with the others, I am going to have to find him a home. This place will not allow him to stay, and I know my lil snuggle bug will make an excellent companion for someone. Especially if those diapers work!!

You can really see in the video the size difference between Huey and the others, they are all from the same hatching. Based on my reading here, he is eating and drinking fine, so I'm not worried!

Top view of Walker



Side View of Walker - I've got a neck band, a chest support and an under the tail strap to keep him righted while I Velcro him across the shoulders above his wings, and across his back below the wings to keep him from flipping out of the walker or jumping out of it.



Fishing for Kale


All 3 after swimming, I have no worries Huey is still part of the "gang", even after all this time separated in his own box. They get time together every day. They look like lil gossipers! lol


And here are the vids:

Huey in his walker:


And here's the vid where you can see him fall, but right himself in the water.

 

[Silverladyrae]

And one more, you can see Dewey dive, then Huey falls and rights himself and keeps on going!

(I think I now understand almost why parents post a million videos of their kids doing normal things...lol)

 

[Silverladyrae]

And finally, after our swim trips, our kale fishing, its hard core nap time. He's mostly sleeping on his belly now, but if he doesn't have anything to brace against he can't stay up, although if I set him up on his belly he can balance without help until he starts hopping around. I was cleaning his box so he had to make do with the towel.

 

[michele dow]

i didnt check the date of your post, BUT either way......i have an almost identical story. i bought 3 ckicks from the feed store. all of mine were alright when i got them. after about 9 days one developed the wobbly thing along with the having a hard time holding his own head up. he looked drunk to me. well, my first thought was dehydration, maybe from getting too hot from the heat lamps??? anywho, i guess maybe that was the first day of acting "off".. the next day he would not eat or drink unless i made him. i would do this by holding him and making him dip his beak to eat and drink. later that day he would not do either. so i had planned to go to the doc next day, and he died 3 hours before! i miss him and love him so much even tho i only knew him for 12 days!

as you i did major research, NOTHING!

i did separate the other 2, and they seem fine. they have doubled in size and are having a good time! anywho, i pray like hell that they stay healthy!

i wish i had info for you, i do not, but i have the exact story...maybe at the least someone will read this and tel us something!

 

[Haunted55]

And finally, after our swim trips, our kale fishing, its hard core nap time. He's mostly sleeping on his belly now, but if he doesn't have anything to brace against he can't stay up, although if I set him up on his belly he can balance without help until he starts hopping around. I was cleaning his box so he had to make do with the towel.

Just for giggles, are you giving this little one added niacin?

 

[Haunted55]

i didnt check the date of your post, BUT either way......i have an almost identical story. i bought 3 ckicks from the feed store. all of mine were alright when i got them. after about 9 days one developed the wobbly thing along with the having a hard time holding his own head up. he looked drunk to me. well, my first thought was dehydration, maybe from getting too hot from the heat lamps??? anywho, i guess maybe that was the first day of acting "off".. the next day he would not eat or drink unless i made him. i would do this by holding him and making him dip his beak to eat and drink. later that day he would not do either. so i had planned to go to the doc next day, and he died 3 hours before! i miss him and love him so much even tho i only knew him for 12 days!

as you i did major research, NOTHING!

i did separate the other 2, and they seem fine. they have doubled in size and are having a good time! anywho, i pray like hell that they stay healthy!

i wish i had info for you, i do not, but i have the exact story...maybe at the least someone will read this and tel us something!

Sometimes it just happens. There may have been something wrong inside, that nothing you did could fix. It's a hard lesson to learn but eventually, we all do. I am sorry this happened and wish I had an answer for you. I am able to tell you this, if you need help with a chick or any type of bird again, post under the emergency section of BYC. With pictures if you can, they make it so much easier when trying to help. Again, I am sorry for your loss.

 

[Silverladyrae]

Just for giggles, are you giving this little one added niacin? 

Yup. It's in my earlier write up in this thread. He and the others since they share water have been getting niacin since I brought them home. About 125 mg per gallon of water, and a Lil dash extra in his when he was being hand fed and watered. Now he's self sufficient in his new box, with columns he's able to walk around using columns and the walls as braces so he can eat and drink 24/7. His growth rate has significantly increased, as has his progress since he's been able to feed and water himself when he wants instead of waiting on me. I'm out of town right now but hubby sent me a video of them swimming yesterday in the pond and even since I left on Thursday he's made progress.

I may have even secured a home for him with someone who would be able to care for him and provide that extra eye to make sure he's okay!