natem1270
Chirping
I've made a few posts on here about the escapade I went through when my three ducklings were shipped four months early. One of them (Moose) has a bad leg that wasn't caught early enough and the doctor was unable to set a cast or help. I'm kind of kicking myself watching old videos of the ducklings because I can see a slight hindrance in movement but it got progressively worse and I acted too late- hindsight is 20/20 I guess. It's gotten to the point where Moose's movement is very laborious and honestly a bit difficult to watch. He uses his wing heavily to stand up or move and spends most of the day sitting by the food and water. I had to separate him from his two brothers when I integrated them with my 5 other male ducks because I just knew that they would bully him endlessly (seen it before with even my healthy ducks).
I do the best I can. I built a second floor on our duck pen where Moose lives. I have quite a few outdoor pens so I have plenty of space to keep Moose and have him separated from others.. but I'm honestly not sure if I'm doing him any good. I pick him up every morning and bring him outside and place him near food and water. He tends to then move himself to the edge of the pen near chicken wire no matter where I put him and the food. He's been getting chafed wings from pushing against the wire and constantly supporting himself on his wing. I've been treating this with vetericyn spray. I also try to let him swim for as much time as possible- it's the only place he can really move naturally.
I got a female duck (Goose) in an attempt to make Moose's life better with the hopes that the female would be more docile and keep him company. Honestly, at this point, I'm starting to feel bad for Goose being alone with a crippled duck all day. I've been thinking of ways I could stop Moose from hurting his wing on the chicken wire but I'm starting to wonder if I'm ultimately doing him more damage then good by not putting him down. I was wondering if anyone has gone through something similar, or has any advice at all? I'm very attached to this duck... but ultimately I want to do what's best for him even if it's not the easiest decision for me. My only other thought is getting duck diapers and making him an indoor duck- but I'm gonna eventually have to stop working remotely so I have no idea what I would do then.
I do the best I can. I built a second floor on our duck pen where Moose lives. I have quite a few outdoor pens so I have plenty of space to keep Moose and have him separated from others.. but I'm honestly not sure if I'm doing him any good. I pick him up every morning and bring him outside and place him near food and water. He tends to then move himself to the edge of the pen near chicken wire no matter where I put him and the food. He's been getting chafed wings from pushing against the wire and constantly supporting himself on his wing. I've been treating this with vetericyn spray. I also try to let him swim for as much time as possible- it's the only place he can really move naturally.
I got a female duck (Goose) in an attempt to make Moose's life better with the hopes that the female would be more docile and keep him company. Honestly, at this point, I'm starting to feel bad for Goose being alone with a crippled duck all day. I've been thinking of ways I could stop Moose from hurting his wing on the chicken wire but I'm starting to wonder if I'm ultimately doing him more damage then good by not putting him down. I was wondering if anyone has gone through something similar, or has any advice at all? I'm very attached to this duck... but ultimately I want to do what's best for him even if it's not the easiest decision for me. My only other thought is getting duck diapers and making him an indoor duck- but I'm gonna eventually have to stop working remotely so I have no idea what I would do then.
