Please Help! New Duckling Owners...

[desertdarlene]

Aww. Yes, crested ducklings can have problems, but I agree with the advice about vitamins and the shavings. He seems to be a fighter, though. I noticed when he got stuck in a corner and couldn't see, he got really distressed until his friend came over.

I can't tell you how long it will take, but some people seem to have a full or nearly full recovery while others don't.

 

[thesmiths]

I should have mentioned this earlier, but that video is from Scuba's first day. That night we changed their bedding to 2/3 blanket and only 1/3 pine shavings. She gets around just fine on both and actually seems to enjoy sleeping in the pine rather than the towel/blanket. We read about using shelf liner for traction, we may try that.

We got the Polyvisol, Super B-Complex (with Vit C), and Vit E capsules today at our grocery store (H-E-B). We are about to start the first round of supplements My husband is a little nervous about the Polyvisol...we read a few posts about NOT giving this to ducklings because it is fat soluble (is it?) and they could OD with all the vitamins. We will hold off on it until we hear back, just to be safe.

We don't think her legs are splayed outward, but possible inward (feet too close together) and that she is tripping over herself. She has strong little legs! We may try a reverse hobble with surgical tape to see if it will help. Any suggestions for this? We are not sure how to go about putting it on...she's a fighter...this is all she wants to do!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Just wanted to say that is one precious duckling and has a strong will too. I thought this thread might interest you jennimig has a crested duckling and please read through to the end I think you'll be blessed and helped and encouraged. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/857143/need-some-help-with-duckling-again

Qwackers is having the neck crook more than leg issues but your both using the same vits. and dealing with a crested duckling.

 

[thesmiths]

Thank you for that thread. The more success stories I hear about Polyvisol, the more I want to use it! I think we will give her some tonight. She seems to get stronger every day and is becoming quite the swimmer! Mostly straight lines today in the water, but still sliding to get around.

We tried making a reverse hobble for her legs (to keep them from touching or going too wide) and she HATED it. It was stressing her out so much that she was frantically sliding around and flopping all over the place which was making her hit her head on everything. So we took it off immediately. We were just trying to help...

Here's the new supplement dosage (unless someone tells us otherwise!): 400mg of Vitamin E mixed into a paste with her food, once a day; water with plain niacin (100mg per gallon) and super B-complex (one tablet per gallon) always within reach; three drops of Polyvisol, twice a day. Does that sound alright?

Thanks again for everyone's help, advice, and encouragement! We just want our special little one to be happy and healthy, even if she's just a "special" duckling. We love them so much! Here's a picture of Ducky all sleepy after her bath time

 

[thesmiths]

And here's Scuba diving! We've never been able to get him on camera...enjoy also, see how Ducky is able to steer better in the water? We're so proud!

Not so much on land though

 

[desertdarlene]

I don't kow much about Polyvisol, but I know you DON'T use the one with iron.

 

[thesmiths]

Yes, we made sure this kind did not have iron in it!

 

[Lacrystol]

I should have mentioned this earlier, but that video is from Scuba's first day. That night we changed their bedding to 2/3 blanket and only 1/3 pine shavings. She gets around just fine on both and actually seems to enjoy sleeping in the pine rather than the towel/blanket. We read about using shelf liner for traction, we may try that.

We got the Polyvisol, Super B-Complex (with Vit C), and Vit E capsules today at our grocery store (H-E-B). We are about to start the first round of supplements My husband is a little nervous about the Polyvisol...we read a few posts about NOT giving this to ducklings because it is fat soluble (is it?) and they could OD with all the vitamins. We will hold off on it until we hear back, just to be safe.

We don't think her legs are splayed outward, but possible inward (feet too close together) and that she is tripping over herself. She has strong little legs! We may try a reverse hobble with surgical tape to see if it will help. Any suggestions for this? We are not sure how to go about putting it on...she's a fighter...this is all she wants to do! e

Again from the video it does not look like a head or neck issue if it was she would be holding her head down, I don't see that, the polyvisol and vitamin e together would help that. I see a leg issue and the best thing you can give her for that would be the vitamin b complete. Give that a shot for a few days and see if she doesn't improve.

Polyvisol is ok for ducks, I have had to give it to mine and ended with no issues. It is normal for ducks to have there feet bowed In, kind of like they are pigoned toe. She seems to have a balance coordination problem with her legs and unable to gain strength where she need it mainly on the bottom of her feet. The vitamin b should help with some therapy, You should hold her in her hands have her feet flat, until she gets the hang of it. You can also make her a bouncy chair forcing her to use her feet.

I would try holding her for 15 minutes per day about three times a day, having her feet flat keeping her upright until she gets the muscles build up in her legs where it's lacking.

 

[Lacrystol]

Thank you for that thread. The more success stories I hear about Polyvisol, the more I want to use it! I think we will give her some tonight. She seems to get stronger every day and is becoming quite the swimmer! Mostly straight lines today in the water, but still sliding to get around. We tried making a reverse hobble for her legs (to keep them from touching or going too wide) and she HATED it. It was stressing her out so much that she was frantically sliding around and flopping all over the place which was making her hit her head on everything. So we took it off immediately. We were just trying to help... Here's the new supplement dosage (unless someone tells us otherwise!): 400mg of Vitamin E mixed into a paste with her food, once a day; water with plain niacin (100mg per gallon) and super B-complex (one tablet per gallon) always within reach; three drops of Polyvisol, twice a day. Does that sound alright? Thanks again for everyone's help, advice, and encouragement! We just want our special little one to be happy and healthy, even if she's just a "special" duckling. We love them so much! Here's a picture of Ducky all sleepy after her bath time

How old is she??? No baths until they are one week old........

 

[Lacrystol]

And here's Scuba diving! We've never been able to get him on camera...enjoy also, see how Ducky is able to steer better in the water? We're so proud! Not so much on land though

I would not be bathing her, she's unstable and could accidently drown. Baby ducks should not be swimming for there first week, the reason for this is because they have not build up there oils to keep them afloat, so one second with your eyes off of her could end up being very tragic... I would keep her away from the water until she is more stabled. Give one tablet of vitamin b complete per quart of water....