What is wrong with my duckling?

[sammy89]

Hi I'm new here.
I'm want to start off by saying that I am incredibly guilty and sad but I'm keeping my emotions out of it so I can deal with the situation in the best way I can.
Yesterday night I was walking through the kitchen with one of my one week old pekin babies. He started to wiggle so I loosed my grip slightly to readjust how he was sitting in my hand and he jumped and fell on his back on the hard kitchen floor. When he turned over and started walking one leg was not working very well. I'll try to explain. I do not think it is paralyzed because when he walks it still moves a bit, but like he leaves it behind slightly. He doesn't respond to a pinch on that leg as much as the other one, but he can still swim. I tried putting a splint on it but it wasn't helpful. He's still responsive and awake etc, not dozy. I have 5 ducklings and they are moving on to a farm this afternoon. I'm wondering if I should keep this one and look after him with another sibling. I have two sitting with me now (him and a sibling). I don't have enough girls to have another drake but I feel he's now my responsibility. I also feel embarrassed about explaining it to the lady who is taking the babies.

If anyone replies to this I will include a video of him walking.

 

[Amiga]

We do our best and sometimes we make mistakes. Good that you are taking responsibility and want so much to care for him.

It does appear he may have nerve damage. Extra niacin may help, we don't know, but it won't hurt. As much time swimming as possible in lukewarm water may help, also, as it improves circulation and muscle strength.

I too would seriously consider keeping him and a companion, as he may have difficulty keeping up with a flock. It depends on the situation and the humans in charge of duck care.

 

[sammy89]

We do our best and sometimes we make mistakes. Good that you are taking responsibility and want so much to care for him.

It does appear he may have nerve damage. Extra niacin may help, we don't know, but it won't hurt. As much time swimming as possible in lukewarm water may help, also, as it improves circulation and muscle strength.

I too would seriously consider keeping him and a companion, as he may have difficulty keeping up with a flock. It depends on the situation and the humans in charge of duck care.

The lady at the farm would be selling them on, which is why I think she'd have a hard time selling an injured duckling. Do you think there's any chance of him getting better? If not, will his life be miserable? I have 6 ducks and 2 geese (not including ducklings) but they're all lovely and tame so I don't think they'd pick on him. I'm more than willing to look after him for as long as he's alive.

 

[Amiga]

It is too early to tell, but if you start rehab now, he may recover at least partly.

I would start him on vitamins electrolytes and probiotics if you are not doing that now, and give him some light massage to stimulate nerves in a good way. How do his eyes look? I don't think a splint will help that much if it's nerves.

 

[sammy89]

It is too early to tell, but if you start rehab now, he may recover at least partly.

I would start him on vitamins electrolytes and probiotics if you are not doing that now, and give him some light massage to stimulate nerves in a good way. How do his eyes look? I don't think a splint will help that much if it's nerves.

Okay. I'll need to order some nitacin etc. His eyes look bright and alert, he's responding to movement and noise well.

 

[Amiga]

Good report! I feel that the more you can connect with him, verbally, visually, and with touch, the better he will recover. You might try singing to him if you don't already do that. Some of us feel that ducks respond very well to singing. After all, the way my runners keep up with each other while their heads are down foraging is to keep up a constant quiet chatter.

I need to head out to the garden in a few, so if I don't respond immediately if you have any other comments, please bear with me.

It's been quite warm here (nothing compared to other parts of the world, I know), and the ducks have spent extra time indoors where it is much cooler, so I need to get them out in the beautiful morning air soon.

 

[sammy89]

Good report! I feel that the more you can connect with him, verbally, visually, and with touch, the better he will recover. You might try singing to him if you don't already do that. Some of us feel that ducks respond very well to singing. After all, the way my runners keep up with each other while their heads are down foraging is to keep up a constant quiet chatter.

Oh good. It's funny you say that actually because they were jumping around so I put some slow music on and they both went to sleep haha! I was singing to him earlier too

thanks so much

 

[Amiga]

I was so concerned about ducky I forgot something important.

Welcome to the Duck Forum!

Where we are all learning and teaching.

 

[sammy89]

I was so concerned about ducky I forgot something important.

Welcome to the Duck Forum!

Where we are all learning and teaching.

Thank you!!

 

[JoMWy]

My husband dropped one of our infants (duckling - not human) on its head. The baby was back to normal within about 30 mins to an hour. Not that this helps your particular case, but I thought I would let you know that it happens, and you are not alone. They do tend to wiggle.