Squeaker, the call ducklings leg problem

[jsp28504]

In late June I bought 6 hatchling call ducks off of a buddy of mine strictly as pets. Earlier this month, I noticed one of my Apple Yard ducklings squeaking up a storm and not moving. Her legs were jutted out on either side of her body and she couldn't get her feet under her. I picked her up and inspected her further.

I noticed the tendon that runs along the back of the leg pushed in toward her body on both legs. I gently straightened out her leg, moved the tendon over to its proper spot and set her back down. She took a few normal steps but then fell over in a semi-comical face plant. At that time, I knew she needed more help.

With owning horses, cows, chickens, cats, dogs and other various critters, I keep a stock of first aid supplies on hand at all times. Knowing what I do about tendons and sprains, I'm kind of uncoorrdinated, I thought wrapping the little one's legs should help. So I grabbed the neon orange vet wrap (for some reason, it was the only color on sale at TSC...) and got to work. With the initial wrapping and a little encouragement, she was walking again!

I changed her leg wrappings every day since they got pritty filthy, I mean she is a duck after all! And after about a week, I took the wrappings off completly. (Approx. Aug 14th) She was doing great! Keeping up with her siblings, and a group of older Malards that are waiting to go to a new home... Until yesterday... She was in dire straits! Squeaking up another verbal slew of what I'm sure were curse words in duck. The poor girl was using her wings to walk. I, again, started by lightly wrapping her legs to give her some support to move.

My question is, will she grow into these XL tendons or will I have to keep her legs wrapped so she can move?







How can you say no and not try to help that cute little face?

 

[Amiga]

See if you can contact Duckyfromoz about this. I think she has had some experience with slipped tendons.

Is she getting enough niacin? I do not know that these are related, but niacin deficiency (some ducklings seem to need more than others, and the rule of thumb is that they all need three times the niacin that chicks do) can cause leg and nerve problems, and it might be good to eliminate this possible additional problem while you work on the tendons.

Such a cutie pie!

 

[Kevin565]

Your defiantly going to have to keep it on for awhile. I would say probably a 2 week minimum. Treating slipped tendon in older birds is a lot harder in older birds and the success rate is much much lower.

 

[jsp28504]

Is there a niacin additive that I can add to the feed? If so, where can I buy it?

 

[Kevin565]

You can add it to the feed but I advise just adding it to the water. You can buy it at almost any grocery store that carries vitamins. I would not suggest the slow release ones though.

 

[DuckLady]

I would also suggest as much water therapy as possible. If you can put her in a tub or pool of water and let her float and paddle, that will help strengthen her.

I have used Poly-Vi-Sol (without iron) with good result to get those vitamins in. 3 or 4 drops a day by mouth will do it.

Good luck!

 

[jsp28504]

Does it come in pill or liquid form, and would they sell it at GNC? The only reason I ask is because of the coup that I have my ducks in, their source of water is one of the large plastic kiddy pools that I clean out every two to three days.

Would it be smarter to seperate her from the rest of the flock while I treat her with the niacin and bandages?
and if I did do that, could I keep one of her hatch mates with her so she doesn't get lonely?

I seperated her last night and was awoken to the most pittiful squeaking I have heard from her since this ordeal started. I don't mind having to wrap her legs for the rest of her life, I may even come up with a more perminant solution once she grows more. I just want to make sure she gets what she needs to be happy and healthy.


As far as what I'm feeding my flock, I have the ducks on a 50/50 mix of Purina Flock Raiser crumbles (green bag with a turkey and other non-chicken birds) and Layena crumbles. They do go socialize with the silkies when they are given the opertunity and sometimes get into their batch of Layena and cracked corn. They are also given about 4~5 hours of free-range time when I get off work. I'm not sure if this helps bring light to what an internal problem may be, the other ducks, 4 mallards, 1 white... thing, 2 mallard colored call ducks, and 2 other Apple Yard calls are doing great.

Thanks in advanced for your time and knowledge.

 

[Kevin565]

1. I've only seen it in pill capsules. I just twist them open and pour the powder into the waterer.

2. Yes I would think GNC would have it.

3. Yes I would defiantly separate her from the others for her safety.

4. I would leave her by herself. Other ducks could accidentally hurt the leg further.

 

[jsp28504]

1. I've only seen it in pill capsules. I just twist them open and pour the powder into the waterer.

2. Yes I would think GNC would have it.

3. Yes I would defiantly separate her from the others for her safety.

4. I would leave her by herself. Other ducks could accidentally hurt the leg further.

Thanks for the quick reply. I think I'll head across the street and pick some up on my break, then at lunch get her settled into her new "digs". I'll keep you posted on how she is doing. Again, thanks for your help!

 

[DuckLady]

You can also use brewers yeast and sprinkle it on her food.