Possible Wry Neck - New Baby - Please Help!

[sryan989]

Hi there! My name is Shannon and I am a teacher. We have a duck at school that lays eggs every year. Today we went out and found that all of her eggs had hatched and she had taken them all to the pond, as usual, except one. This little baby duck seems to have a hard time keeping its head up or standing up, flops around trying to walk. Momma abandoned it and we want it to have a chance. I think it is Wry Neck form what I have read, and since this is my first baby duck I want some help with how to help the little baby.

We brought it inside with some of the bedding from momma's nest, and she/he is enjoying the warmth. Good color, happily cheeping, loves being held. Just cannot hold head up on own, but doesn't seem to be in pain if I help hold it up. Strong legs but it hasn't figured out walking yet, more of a flop side to side or on it's back.

What's the solution, and how do I help this little one!? I've read TLC and vitamin E, heading to tractor supply right after work!

Thank you ahead of time for any help. My colleague raises baby chickens, but never a duck, and she is unable to add another baby to her group. I am going to gladly take it home but want to be sure I'm being a good baby duck momma. Thank you!

 

[Granny Hatchet]

@WVduckchick ?

 

[lazy gardener]

I've not dealt with wry neck or crazy chick disease or vitamin E encephalitis with duck. but the standard reply with chickens is Vitamin E and selenium. Also, B vitamins are indicated as being helpful. You can use human grade vitamins, keeping in mind that the human pills are designed to dose 100#. However, with wry neck, you want to get a good bolus of medication into the bird right away.

I am a huge fan of Poultry Nutri Drench. In addition to the above mentioned vitamins, I would give some to the whole flock. You should also do research on Angel Wing. Nutrients being out of balance can cause this in ducks.

 

[Eggcessive]

Welcome to BYC. Try giving chick vitamins, such as Poultry NutriDrench or Poultry Cell 1 ml daily. The important vitamins in treating wry neck are B1 (thiamine,) vitamin E, and selenium, a mineral that increases utilization of vitamin E. Niacin is another vitamin good for leg health in ducks. You will need to provide heat for the duckling as well. Offer some chick starter and water. Hopefully WVduckchick has more to offer. Good luck.

 

[WVduckchick]

Poultry Nutridrench is always my go-to, but the things others mentioned are helpful also. Tractor Supply carries it. I dab it on my finger and transfer straight to the side of the duckling's bill, then offer some clean water to wash it down. A few times and you should see some improvement. You can also add it to the water, but straight from the bottle is quicker. This stuff gets the vitamins directly into their bloodstream. I call it the miracle drug.

Definitely keep the duckling warm (90°ish), and neck massages seem to help along with the extra vitamins.

Ducks really don't do their best as loners, and it would be great if the momma would accept it back, if you can successfully rehab it. If you end up keeping it, I would suggest getting a friend for it.

And Welcome aboard! Sorry you joined us under such circumstances, but we hope you'll stick around! (and we love pics of baby ducklings... hint, hint....

 

[sryan989]

Here we go! Here’s the little one. Thank you for all the help! I’ll keep everyone updated. Any new ideas or suggestions on raising a baby duck 101 are appreciated!

 

[lazy gardener]

You might steal one of the other hatchlings from Mama so this little one has a friend. @WVduckchick , any enlightenment about the risk of Angel Wing as supportive nutrition is provided for this baby?

 

[sryan989]

Momma and the other babies are nowhere to be found. What is the thought on getting another baby chick from tractor supply as a friend?

 

[lazy gardener]

If you get one chick, get two, just in case this duckling does not survive.

 

[christwodog]

I just got over a case of wry neck with one of my baby chicks. It can be successfully treated, I used polyvisol (infant liquid vitamin) to help get extra vitamins in her. It is a slow process and she may need to be hand fed/watered for a couple weeks. Good luck, it's great that you are giving her a fighting chance!