Possible mating injury

[NewAtThis8]

Hi all,

I have two small khaki Campbell ducks living with my jumbo Pekin drake. He’s been sweet with them until this spring, and I’ve had some problems with limping that get better after a week. I keep them separate, but my setup isn’t ideal and needs revision- it’s a canvas baby gate that appears to have stretched a bit so now he can just push right under it. Rehoming him isn’t an option - I know someone would eat him and I love him. In between figuring this out, unfortunately I believe he hurt one of the ducks while attempting to mate. He stands on their backs and he is 3x their size and weight. The incident happened yesterday sometime between 5-6 (i have a camera in the run); she was walking and getting around fine, and then by 6pm she was down and unable to stand up. I immediately brought her inside to assess, she got a warm Epsom salt bath and then was on crate rest indoors completely separate from the others. I noticed in the bath her right leg didn’t paddle much and her left leg did all the work and her tail was working hard to keep her balanced in the water. Overnight, she laid an egg. This morning, both legs seem to not support her weight at all and she didn’t have much of an appetite. I gave her meloxicam and appetite returned, but her mobility stayed stagnant. I have a vet appt for Wednesday, but I guess I’m just looking for some reassurance and guidance in the meantime. I feel horrible and don’t want to get bad news at the vet, and am hoping it’s something fixable. I didn’t feel heat, swelling or obvious breaks and when I pick her up, her legs paddle like they joints are not dislocated but they just won’t support her weight at all. Could a sprain do this? Anything else I should do besides water therapy, restricted movement, separation and pain meds?

 

[alinas2010]

Hello so sorry to hear about your duck. Hormones go crazy in the spring. I’m glad you were able to get a vet appointment. I do not have ducks, but you’re doing exactly what I would do until a vet can see her. Sometimes that’s all they need is a little time confined with restricted movement. Let us know what the vet says.

 

[CascadiaRiver]

Vet/health part you got solved, let us know what the vet says! As for the ducks now, keeping separate. Male to female ratio should be much higher, I usually hear 8-10 ducks per drake but that won't prevent him from hurting a smaller duck, or picking on his favorite duck. If he can't play nice with the small girls I feel like the other option is separating, which can just be a side-by-side enclosure so he still gets some of the social benefits but without access to jumping on them. (side by side meaning kind of like this, if that helps!)