Waddles won't waddle.

[mrpekinduck]

Put this in the emergency section and you may get more replies. Good luck!

 

[tigger122171]

HOw di I do that?

 

[daidyducks]

Im so sorry to hear about this I really dont have a clue either as to why he wont waddle but I do hope the best! Dont give up hope! the little guy needs you.
It would be heartbreaking to put him down. hope he makes it!

 

[daidyducks]

Forums -> Raising BackYard Chickens -> Emergencies
heres the link:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/10/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures

 

[tigger122171]

Thank you. No responses yet. I just wish I knew how to help him. He is getting more and more feisty.

 

[dumb_cluck]

Could be a niacin deficiency. What have you been feeding him? Ducks need niacin. I feed my ducks Game bird grower pellets (Game bird starter when they are young) I get mine at Agway.

 

[Amiga]

Sad to read about Waddles. I would not give up on him yet. Nerve damage takes some time to heal, and sometimes it doesn't.

Keep up with the extra niacin and if you haven't started multi vitamins (poultry vitamins), you might try that. His increased feistiness is a good sign.

How is his weight? Sometimes ducks develop something like arthritis, and extra weight is painful. Letting him swim in lukewarm water may help him keep some strength and range of motion without being very painful to him.

Some people have used a sling setup, similar to the little swings we put human babies in to let them strengthen their legs before they can stand on their own. You might try that while he's in recovery.

Causes could include physical injury, infection, virus, nutritional deficiencies (and by the way - some ducks are just more sensitive to diet so you have not failed him if that's what the problem is - it is impossible to know ahead of time who needs extra something). Keep feeling around the upper parts of his legs and belly.

I don't want to scare you, but he might have a tumor pressing on a nerve. If that's the case, I think it will become evident before too long.

Has he been mating? Fighting?

Keep looking for signs of something in his foot - thorn, tiny sliver of metal. Do his legs seem to have any strength when you're holding him? I'm wondering if he's finding it too painful to walk or if he just doesn't have the strength or coordination.

 

[tigger122171]

He is about 4 months old. So far I have just increased his rest and given him brewers yeast (which has the niacin and other vitamins in it), and have been giving him Vitamin E (as suggested by other forum peoples). He is "talking" more and a little more active but still has no balance and won't put his feet down. I have tried him in the warm tub and he lays on his BACK and preens his belly. I honestly don't think that is normal. He seems to be smaller than his "pondmates" but with him not able to walk for a few days, he didn't get the amount of food that all others did, I am giving him plenty to eat right now. Making sure he gets plenty of food. He nipped at the cat yesterday which is the first he has done that. Cat is scared of him now. We bring him in the living room during the evenings and he lays in the cat bed and eats and drinks and sleeps and "socializes" with us. I hope this isn't ruining him ad he won't be able to go back outside. Any other help in this matter is appreciated.

 

[tigger122171]

Just for clarification, this is the closest I could get to these babies.....I know I see one drake, can y'all tell about the other 3 since one is hiding it's butt from the camera?

 

[Amiga]

You're not ruining him, don't worry. Whatever's not right is probably going to take a little while. Be careful you're not spoiling yourself!!!

Oh, nevermind. . . go ahead and spoil yourself! I feel that TLC is one of the best medicines. There are worse things than enjoying a duck's company.