Please Help My Duck

[louandneil]

hi this morning I let my duck out of the duck house and she is struggling to walk. She was fine last night. I have felt her legs and feet and can't feel anything strange. Any suggestions

 

[dumb_cluck]

What are you feeding her? Ducks need niacin. There is not enough niacin in chicken starter.

 

[louandneil]

I feed small holders duck growers pellets

 

[Amiga]

Who does she live with? Is there a drake who is aggressive with her? Might she be eggbound?

Egg binding can cause pressure on the nerves of the legs.

Could you try giving her a lukewarm bath in the tub, just let her swim in warmish water for a little while? I always give mine vitamin/eletrolyte/probiotic supplements when they feel puny.

Check her legs - see if you can feel if anything seems out of joint, or warm or swollen.

Check her feet for injury, too.

Check her vent - does it look normal?

 

[louandneil]

She lives with a Drake but he is very gentle infact he is protecting her from the chickens as she is poorly. I checked her legs and they seem normal. I have put her in the pond for a little while and she had a wash and then I took her out as she was struggling. She is 14 week old would she be egg bound as she hasn't started laying yet? She is quite meaty however I did think she looked a bit off the other day.

 

[Amiga]

With ducks, there could be a few things going on. She may have an infection, or an internal problem that she was hatched with that is just showing up (as her egg-making system matures, for example). She could be overweight (you say she is meaty), which puts too much strain on her legs.

I would keep her somewhere quiet and safe, let her swim in clean lukewarm water, and if possible, contact a duck vet or waterfowl rehabilitator and get some help with her.

 

[louandneil]

No I don't think she is overweight. I'll give her a bath and take her to the vets. Thank u for your help.

 

[louandneil]

Actually I have just put her in the bath and the Drake is trying to get on her. Do you think he could have sat ob her and she has hurt it

 

[Amiga]

I'd keep the drake away from her, for sure. Drakes can in fact injure (rarely kill) a female. It depends on a number of factors. She may have an injury from him jumping on her. That's why I asked who she lives with. If there is one drake and one female, he may be too hard on her. A recommended ratio of drakes to females is minimum one to three, better is one to six (one boy, six girls).

So give her a rest from the guy - 24/7 for a while. He probably won't like it, especially if she's his only female. You might want to consider getting a few more girls if this is the case.

How are the feathers on the back of her neck?

Did you check her vent?

 

[louandneil]

I'll def get some more girls. What do I need to look for in her vent? He did have some of her feathers in his beak.