Week old duckling with crippled leg

[melinda342]

I just got a couple ducklings, a week old tomorrow. One has a crippled leg that I didn't notice. He/She seems to be eating and drinking OK, but it is noticeably smaller than the other one. It can move around by hopping. Basically it seems to be doing ok as it is. What is the best thing to do for the duckling?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I just got a couple ducklings, a week old tomorrow. One has a crippled leg that I didn't notice. He/She seems to be eating and drinking OK, but it is noticeably smaller than the other one. It can move around by hopping. Basically it seems to be doing ok as it is. What is the best thing to do for the duckling?

Do you notice any swelling or abnormal heat any where on the leg? can it put any weight on it's leg will it lay it's foot out flat. wonder if it may have gotten injured in shipping or while at feed store or where ever you got it, another possibility is a nutrient deficiency some ducklings can lack enough B3[Niacin] in their diet and can cause lameness and neurological problems but once put on Niacin can recover pretty quick so it sure won't hurt to put both your ducklings on either "plain" niacin or Brewers yeast. if you can find plain niacin [heard whole foods has it. you'll need to put 100mgs into a 1 gallon container of water then mix real good and place in their waterer if you decide to go with Brewers yeast it's 1 tab to 1 cup of feed and they need to have this daily till 10 weeks of age. Plain means not flush free or time released. You can also make a shoe for your duckling to help the foot lay flat. I'll get a link about it for you. this link has alot of info on it and although geared towards chickens has alot of good info that can be used for water fowl also, just keep reading you'll eventually get to leg and foot issues. https://sites.google.com/a/poultrypedia.com/poultrypedia/poultry-podiatry

 

[melinda342]

I don't think there is any swelling. I think the leg has been like that for a while. The leg cannot fully extend. It looks like most of the damage was done at the knee (or whatever it's called) joint. So that messed up foot never touches the ground. I was actually wondering if the best thing to do would be to cut it off...

 

[Miss Lydia]

I don't think there is any swelling. I think the leg has been like that for a while. The leg cannot fully extend. It looks like most of the damage was done at the knee (or whatever it's called) joint. So that messed up foot never touches the ground. I was actually wondering if the best thing to do would be to cut it off...

Please don't think about doing something like that yourself, poor duckling could bleed to death. A vet should be looked in to before you go that route. It's amazing how well ducks can adapt so you may not have to do anything. Can the duckling get around to the food and water alright? did you look at the link I posted if you scroll way down it even gives info on making a hock brace to try and straighten the leg and shoes too.

 

[melinda342]

Oh, there is no way I would try something like that on my own. It seems to be doing alright. I am concerned about the foot rotting or something though. The foot stays curled up and is smaller that the other so I'm thinking it isn't getting a lot of blood flow

 

[Miss Lydia]

Oh, there is no way I would try something like that on my own. It seems to be doing alright. I am concerned about the foot rotting or something though. The foot stays curled up and is smaller that the other so I'm thinking it isn't getting a lot of blood flow

If at all possible a vet would be the way to go.

 

[melinda342]

Yeah. I was hoping to avoid that cost. Guess not. I haven't been able to find any non emergency vets open on the weekend so that will have to wait until Monday at the earliest.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Yeah. I was hoping to avoid that cost. Guess not. I haven't been able to find any non emergency vets open on the weekend so that will have to wait until Monday at the earliest.

Please post back what you find out.

 

[jenniemig]

I'm no expert but it looks to me as if it is a deformity, just didn't develop normally. Like Miss Lydia said I would start the extra vitamins as soon as you can, just in case it can be corrected. As long as there is no swelling or open injury or infection, and he/she can get around to eat a drink, he/she should adapt and will just be a special duck

Keep us updated!

 

[melinda342]

Can I find Niacin or brewer's yeast at Walmart?