To cull, or not to cull?

[SnapHappii]

I had a small Pekin duckling hatch who had a messed up left leg. His little webbed foot is curled up and he kinda limps around.. Some of my ducks are going to be kept here, as pets, but others are going to be sold. [of course, he would be kept here] but I'm not really sure if he would be able to survive and I'm wondering if it would just be a nicer thing to cull him now?

I *think* he might have a chance at having a nice life, but then again we have dogs, racoons, foxes, and hawks around that would easily get him.
Should I just wait or cull him now?

 

[TheDuckCrew]

try making him a little duckie boot. cut some cardboard the size of his foot spread out, and tape it, uncurled. if his leg is also sticking out a bit, you can pull it in with bandaids. i'm not too sure how to do everything. hopefully someone else can help you.

 

[goosedragon]

Your bird, your choice! I have seen ducks hobble around after losing a whole foot to a Snaping Turtle. They tend to flap their wings to take some of the weight off. Besides varmints your flock itself might turn on it. Instinct tells them to avoid being around the unfit since it can attract attention from varmits that go for the unfit first.

 

[Mikhail]

No. Some ducks are completely lame (no use of their legs) and they get along fine. I had a lame duck once. Though I would suggest you have a secure pen for the duck- it would stand no chance against predators.

 

[EngieKisses]

I totally agree that its your duck and your choice. However, we give them all a chance of life so long as they do not appear to be suffering.

 

[cici_p]

Try "fixing" the foot. You can make a little bootie out of cardboard, or something similar. Sometimes these things will even correct themselves with help.

 

[goosedragon]

If you want to try with it rather than cull, give it some swim water. This takes the weight off the bad foot and gives exercise that it needs. It will tend to swim in circles because of the bad foot. Who knows maybe it can unfold the foot in the water and learn how to do it on land.