The Old Folks Home

[getaclue]

BTW, anyone that knows anything about ducks, that has some input for me, please share. As I said, I don't know a whole lot about ducks. Another strike against it, is that it's siblings were all killed, so it's a lone duckling. Any advice, or help is welcome.

 

[microchick]

Good news about Quacker Sparkles, @getaclue. BTW, I like that name! Remember we have a cattle dog named Varna so we are into unusual names for our pets. We also have a cats named Ruger, Camo and Johnny Cash, Gem and June Bug. Dogs named Buck, Spotty Dog, Varna, Diesel, Sidney, Ben and Roxie (who somehow became Rocky J Squirrel or Rocky for short)

I won't even get into the chickens' names....some I cannot print.

 

[microchick]

Clue I think you are right on about finding QS a friend to keep him/her company. Poor little thing. You are doing a great job mentoring it but it needs something with feathers for companionship.

 

[Beer can]

We have three ducks setting right now, two mallards and a pekin (they don't usually set) the pekin was the first to set. Wait and see what happens.
What do you want to know about ducks @getaclue ?

 

[Beer can]

Turkeys are getting big, chicken size now. Turkeys are so calm and cool, way nicer than chickens.
Chickens I have to do some culling, need to get down to the trio of Naked Neck Giant crosses so I can hatch. Been planning on, saying I'll do it next week for months... Maybe I'll get it done tomorrow (should have last yr...)

 

[CapricornFarm]

The lone chick that the broody hatched, looks like it's going to be a pullet.

I was told to feed my rescue duckling, layer feed, and add a little extra niacin. I was crushing a niacin tablet, adding a pinch, and mixing it in the feed each day. I've been concerned about Quacker Sparkles (the grandbaby named it) for awhile now. It's growing, and healthy, but just mopes. He sits on his stuffed animal, a LOT. I take him out, and watch tv with him. He mostly sits. I put him in the tub. He does swim some, but after a few minutes, mostly floats. I try using my fingers for him to chase in the tub. He wouldn't engage. I was looking for other ducks in my area, of the same type, close in age, that I might get one or two, as companions for him.

Well, today we had a breakthrough. Dd #2 came for a visit, and I told her to get Quacker Sparkles, and bring him out with us. (She's the one that brought him to me.) She brought him out, and he laid down. She tried to engage him, so he would walk around. He did a little bit, then laid down again. I was watching. One leg seems slightly bowed, and his foot turned a little bit inward. Not much, but a little. I commented that I would up his niacin. He did not seem to be in any pain. She kept trying to get him to walk around. He was not cooperating. I got up, walked over to him, then turned to walk away, so she could continue doing what she was doing. When I began walking away, he stayed right behind me. I continued walking around. He kept following. When I stopped, he stopped, when I walked, he walked. FINALLY, he's engaging, and not moping.

I kept him out for about an hour, walking until he got tired. We'd rest a bit, then we'd walk some more. After the hour, he was much more steady on his feet, and his one slightly bowed leg, seemed to be doing better, while the foot was not turning in as much. I will start taking him out every time I go out on the porch, so he walks more, and with the increase in niacin, I hope he will be ok.

Is he getting a multivitamin too?

 

[CapricornFarm]

BTW, anyone that knows anything about ducks, that has some input for me, please share. As I said, I don't know a whole lot about ducks. Another strike against it, is that it's siblings were all killed, so it's a lone duckling. Any advice, or help is welcome.

It might be happier with even a chick for company.

 

[CapricornFarm]

Turkeys are getting big, chicken size now. Turkeys are so calm and cool, way nicer than chickens.
Chickens I have to do some culling, need to get down to the trio of Naked Neck Giant crosses so I can hatch. Been planning on, saying I'll do it next week for months... Maybe I'll get it done tomorrow (should have last yr...)

I have 4 cockerels I need to cull....for months now. Just so much more to do.

 

[getaclue]

Beer Can, do you buy specialty duck feed? It's very expensive here. I have been crushing a 500 mg. time release tablet into powder, then putting the feed into a red solo cup, adding a pinch of niacin. To mix it in, I've been pouring the feed from one solo cup, to another, back and forth. Am I correct in assuming I should probably pour the feed into his bowl, then just adding a pinch of the niacin powder on top of the feed? That way he would be sure to get more.

Now that he's starting to bond, and engage, I can spend a lot more time with him. Do you think that will be ok for now? I've looked, and have not found any of his breed, in his age range locally. They are considered an invasive species here, and routinely exterminated. I will continue to search. I have chicks. Should I try putting one or two in with him, and see what happens?

 

[getaclue]

Cap, I don't give him a multivitamin. I was told an 18% protein feed, (egg maker is fine), and to add a little niacin. That's what I've done.

OH, Dd #1 just took QS out, to hold him a bit. When he heard me, he pitched a fit, until I came, and petted him. He settled down once I petted, and talked to him. He IS starting to engage. THAT's what I've been waiting to see.

I guess he's pulling out of the trauma now. It has taken him quite awhile to do so.