weird runner duckling....

[nzpouter]

can anybody tell me what's wrong with my runner duckling on the foreground?

Those 3 at the back are it's nestmates.......

 

[duckyfromoz]

I also have a similar size difference with one of my Runners. Although my little one hatched with a slipped tendon- so has never been able to walk.

She is the same size as my 3 week old runners but is 8 weeks old now. She has not got the same feather developement as her hatchmates as well as being small.

I have wondered if there was something else wrong with her apart from her leg that was affecting her size.

The size difference and developement in your is huge.....Were they all the same size when they hatched- or has this one always been smaller?

It looks hunched over- Is it always like that- or just the way it was standing when you took the photo.?

Have you noticed any other strange behaviour or problems with your little one other than size and no feathers??

 

[nzpouter]

nope... eating and doing everything the same, hatch the same size....

It was turning around to join his bros and sis when I took the pic hence the hunch stance...

Wonder if we can breed mine and yours together to create naked mini runners....

 

[duckyfromoz]

Quote:

It would be quite cute and popular as a house duck im sure- They would nt eat or poop as much as a larger duck, and no feathers all over the house when they molt........

But on the serious side .... Egg nutrient deficiency would seem plausible at hatch- but by this age you would expect the duck to have caught up in size. Same with vitamins.

I am thinking if the duck has not had any illness or injury that could account for the lack of developement I would say something in the genetic make up. Maybe its missing a chromosome somewhere?? I really dont know and am guessing at possibilities here.

 

[rainplace]

Here's all the threads about chickensioux's microduck. If you start at the bottom you can see how he developed:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/search.php?search_id=1649042057

edited to add: there's only about 10 threads and well worth the read.

 

[duck&chickencrazy]

i had a duckling like that...i had about 5 ducklings and all started out the same size and were developing the same but then one of them didnt develope as fast as the others....they had their feathers and stating to look like grown birds but he was still small with his ducking fluff...but after a while he grew in his big boy feathers and was the same size as the others...so just let him grow up and he will peobably end up looking like hes supposed to...the size diff. in yours is about the same as in mine were...mine were not runners tho. they were pekin, dont think that matters much but o well...o dont have him anymore but i know hes doing well...so i think your little guy will be fine!!! and good luck with him...

 

[dntd]

oh my.. You found the cure to ducking lust. I would pay to get a duck that stayed a duckling, of course not good if you want to eat him

 

[Ducks-R-Us]

I have a group of 7 white call ducks that hatched out on Dec 18. 6 of the 7 have already developed their adult feathers. The one that has not, is less than half the size of the others. I am not sure what causes this, but I bet in time it will catch up with at least the feather growth. It may always be a smaller duck.

 

[chickensioux]

You might have a Microrunner. When my MicroDuck was lagging way behind, each day I added different supplements to his peas. One day it would be bee pollen, then another day vitamins A & D, then Omega 3 fish oil. He grew and thrived but always in a very slow manner. He is now full grown but 1/2 the size of a female call duck. He is the cutest little thing. Good luck with yours!

 

[chickensioux]

Micro at 1 month

Micro now