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post by loghome lover duckling with limp april 12

(66 posts)
  • Started 1 year ago by campbell ridge
  • Latest reply from admin

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  1. campbell ridge
    Administrator

    Loghomelover

    We have a 3 week old pekin with a limp.. just noticed it after a swim, She is not bending her last knuckle. She also has a bare spot on the back of her neck, i hope this is just the start of feathers? i have bought Vet RX,, rubbed it on that leg 2 times??
    Should she rest in a seperate space,,
    should i massage/exercise/strech her foot?
    Should i splint? how on such a small little foot,, where,, splint so the foot bends?
    We are new to ducklings,, only our second batch, so my boys are very attached to her and her 2 sisters. Please help me save her:( We have fallen in love with duck eggs:)

    POSTED 6 HOURS AGO # 96.35.76.168 EDIT DELETE
    m40mo
    Member

    hello you dont say if or what other ducks you have, at 3 weeks their feathers can look really tatty as they start to grow their real feathers but a bald spot on the neck can be caused by mateing so can a limp, is there any drakes who might be mateing with the duckling

    mo x
    POSTED 1 HOUR AGO # 86.141.181.6 EDIT DELETE
    Katydid
    Member

    Hi there,
    I would be quite surprised if anyone is mating her at 3 weeks old. You don't say if she is with mum or incubated but some of them do go through a very tatty/bald stage at that age when incubated. I used to think I wasn't looking after them well.

    As for the limping it may be a strain from getting out of the water, we had that before we put better ramps in, or if the ducklings are on anything hard they can get sore feet.

    Anyway, do let us know how you fare.
    KT

    Sarah L
    Posted 1 year ago #

  2. m40mo
    Administrator

    Katy I wouldn't be surprised but would be horrified but it was the combination of limp and bald which made me wonder, if the feathers are tatty yes thats normal, if the neck has bald spots that isn't normal

    mo x
    Posted 1 year ago #

  3. Katydid
    Member

    Mo, you know I hate to disagree with you but having reared over 100 ducklings in brooders and 50 or so under mums I can tell you that bald spots on heads, necks and backs of incubated birds is very common, particularly at 3 to 4 weeks, before the proper feathers come through. It is not so common if they are under mum, which is why I think it important to know how they are being reared.
    I've also never seen any sexual behaviour with 3 week old ducks regardless of how they are being reared.
    Young birds often pick up strains, it's part of growing and getting stronger, usually it passes.
    KT

    No holidays, too many birds.
    Posted 1 year ago #

  4. m40mo
    Administrator

    lol Katy dont ever worry about disagreeing with me, you do it in such a nice way and thats what forums are for, well not disagreeing with me, sharing opinions and experiences lol :)

    mo x
    Posted 1 year ago #

  5. loghomelover
    Member

    no mating going on as of yet, all girl flock. 3 ducks 5 chicks. they were all in a box with a heat lamp, until last night where i put her and a chic in a smaller box next door.
    been rubbing the Vet rx on her hurt leg,, seems the joint is a bit swollen? she is not bending that joint. Eating and drinking like a horse. splinted her last night also. Been using some kind of electrolite water additive also. should i try the epson salt in her water? any one used this Vet RX stuff before, it seems like t tree oil to me?
    thanks bunches!

    Posted 1 year ago #

  6. Katydid
    Member

    Don't know Vet rx. Epsom salts is an old fashioned remedy which can't hurt. If I have a bird in need of tlc, for any reason I give it molasses in the water, very high in nutrients.
    Is the leg hot? A splint seems a good idea, and keep her quiet so she resta it.
    KT

    No holidays, too many birds.
    Posted 1 year ago #

  7. loghomelover
    Member

    how much epson salts? and molasses? Should i take of the splint and strech/exercise that leg/ re wrap?

    Posted 1 year ago #

  8. loghomelover
    Member

    baby duck still has no feathers on the back of her neck, she has been in a seperate box (with only one friend) for 2 days now. no bending that leg eigher, gave her a nice bath the last 2 nights,, she sure was a happy duck in the water today,, not deep water so she could stand up. BUT now she has some black around her eyes,, washed them during bath time.
    read on here about worms,, effecting legs and eyes?? should i try worming her?

    Posted 1 year ago #

  9. campbell ridge
    Administrator

    Hi She does sound rather poorly, can you load some photos on so we can see what's going on? Or even a video. Most of us are on facebook too where you may find it easier to upload some images.
    https://www.facebook.com/farmingfriends?ref=ts

    Sarah L
    Posted 1 year ago #

  10. Katydid
    Member

    Where are you? sorry, I don't even know which continent you are on?

    The lack of feathers on the neck at her/his age is not unusual,it can be a couple of weeks before the true feathers start to grow. I have seen this dozens of times.

    If the duckling has been in a brooder there is no reason to think it could have worms.

    The eyes are badly affected if they are not washed every day, and dark around the eyes can also be to do with being in a brooder. But, as Sarah says, so difficult with no pictures. If at all poss please let us see. We would so like to help.

    KT

    No holidays, too many birds.
    Posted 1 year ago #

  11. loghomelover
    Member

    i have posted pictures of Bugatti our 4 week old pekin. took her and friends outside today to play,, first warm day in a few. she is getting around really well, even though she uses just her knee(human term) to walk. she seems pretty fisty, eats and drinks great. we are in Michingan USA, she is in a box with a chick of the same age, oak leaves as bedding, heat lamp.

    thanks all for the help!

    Posted 1 year ago #

  12. m40mo
    Administrator

    where have you posted the photos please

    mo x
    Posted 1 year ago #

  13. campbell ridge
    Administrator

    have posted replies on facebook with the photos.
    in brief: bald back of neck may be chick pecking.
    Leg needs splinting.
    remove oak leaves which are poisonous to some animals
    Also let her swim in deep enough water to see if she can use the leg properly and so she can rinse her own eyes.

    Sarah L
    Posted 1 year ago #

  14. admin
    Sara @ farmingfriends

    Hi All,
    Here are the photos:

    Kind regards
    Sara @ farmingfriends

    http://www.farmingfriends.com
    http://farmingfriends.com/shop/
    Posted 1 year ago #

  15. m40mo
    Administrator

    oh dear poor thing, that is one very poorly looking duckling, the neck isnt normal the leg looks totaly deformed and agree with Sarah about the leaves to

    mo x
    Posted 1 year ago #

  16. Katydid
    Member

    The problem with the eyes looks as though she just needs to rinse them more often. The neck does look like it's pecking, it's so specific and not general. Was the leg like this when she hatched? or did this happen later? I would say that the leg needs treating, do you have a vet you can take it to?
    KT

    No holidays, too many birds.
    Posted 1 year ago #

  17. m40mo
    Administrator

    hello again ive looked at these photos again on Farming Friends on facebook as they are better photos on there and I have to say now im shocked that this duckling is a 4 week old Pekin, it is very small for its age
    I have found this quote from the british waterfoul association about pekin ducklings

    "Ducklings grow on well without too many problems except from the occasional sticky eye and lameness; normally both due to too hot and dry summers.......both are easily rectified."

    maybe its been kept under a heat lamp for to long or there is something wrong with its diet but its a very sad sight to see

    mo x
    Posted 1 year ago #

  18. Katydid
    Member

    You're right Mo, but ducklings not under mum aren't 'waterproof' for a few weeks so you do have to be careful giving them somewhere to swim, I give them olive oil on their backs so they work it in to the feathers.
    KT

    No holidays, too many birds.
    Posted 1 year ago #

  19. Mama
    Member

    Got my very first ducklings at three weeks old and had a cat litter tray with water in it as they could get in and out on their own .It was May so very warm and they did just fine in it and grew and feathered up well ,a novice then .Your duckling seems to have a deformity but no one knows until you say if it hatched like this or an injury .Think we all want to help so a bit more info would help everyone .The bald neck could also be due to a feeder as it happened to me with Goslings but does look like pecking as not in the same place as my goslings . It does seem very small for it's age and the head looks really large compared to body as in malnourished children .Sure this isn't the case with your duckling but just a thought .Best wishes Mama .

    Goose Girl
    Posted 1 year ago #

  20. m40mo
    Administrator

    I have removed some of my comments from yesterday so as not to offened anyone else when only trying to be helpful
    I have no idea why this duckling looks the way it does but it is clearly in a bad condition for its age,and I strongly believe it should now be seen by a vet
    I got my 3 ducklings at one week old and they spent alot of their time in an out door shed with a heat lamp they could go under day or night if they wished, it was early April when I got them and the weather was quite mild so in the warm sunshine I built them a small pen on the grass and gave them like Mama says a cat litter tray with steps in and out and they were more than capable of getting in and out of the water by them selves and drying themselves by shaking and preening, its amazing what comes natural to ducklings
    by 3 weeks old they spent almost all of the daytime outdoors in a secure pen with a deep fish pond sunk into the ground ( photo on another post )they again could get in and out off as they wished, they could lie in the sunshine or find shelter if they wanted to, they foraged through plants and grass as a natural top up to their diet, each night they were returned to the safety and warmth of the shed and they still are and they are now healthy adult ducks 2 years old

    mo x
    Posted 1 year ago #

  21. loghomelover
    Member

    Buggatti was not born with this leg issue.. When i noticed it she was 2 weeks old,, just after a swim, i put her in the water and took her out, but when she was in, she was splashing alot,, like she did not know how to swim. so i was thinking she might have over extended/sprained that foot. maybe i did not notice it before the swim,, but i know she was not limping when we got her a week before. she is today 3 weeks old, Michingan has some crazy weather and i don't want to put them outdoor yet, 26* tomorrow in the a.m., so they are now in the basement in a box with straw and a heat lamp. Not sure what the neck issue was,, but they have lost there yellow fuzz and her neck has filled back in with white:) Getting her in the water more to keep that eye clean and exercise the foot. will post some updated photos after her bath today too.

    Posted 1 year ago #

  22. loghomelover
    Member

    back from the vet. Bugatti has no broken bones but vet is not sure why her foot is that way, and other foot is starting to do the same. possible vitimen dif. $120,, and sent me to tractor supply to get some vitimens. Vet said she would do some research and call me soon:(

    deanna

    Posted 1 year ago #

  23. m40mo
    Administrator

    glad it isnt broken and hope it can be corrected, what is the duckling fed on maybe a change in diet would help to

    mo x
    Posted 1 year ago #

  24. Mama
    Member

    So pleased you saw the vet and perhaps check your food as i and others said earlier it is so small.Food is the most important thing in their lives .So hope you get a good result and little one gets better as you obviously love her .Not sure it can be cured now but fingers crossed .
    Good luck .Mama

    Goose Girl
    Posted 1 year ago #

  25. loghomelover
    Member

    bugatti is on dumore starter/grower, eats and drinks like a horse as do both her sisters and 5 chicks? she is only a fraction smaller than her sister same age. maybe i can get photo's of them together. will try.
    this is the same brand food we used on our last years ducks with wonderful success?

    Posted 1 year ago #

  26. m40mo
    Administrator

    oh a group photo would be nice, sorry dont know that brand of food dont think we have it over here, but if it was the diet alone id have thought they would all have problems, so maybe it started before you got them are all the ducklings from the same hatch
    I thought you said you didnt have any other ducks though,

    mo x
    Posted 1 year ago #

  27. Katydid
    Member

    I know nothing of this, but since you have used the same feed for previous ducklings and you have 2 other ducklings with her and they are fine then it is highly possible it is a congenital problem which may, or may not, be solved with suppliments. (I would certainly try everything possible if it was my duck.)

    If not you may have the unenviable decision about what is best for her. I have read about ducks that survive and do well with foot/leg problems. Even one whose foot was frozen off one winter and survived and thrived. Only you can tell if she is happy and healthy.
    Please do let us know how she gets on.
    KT
    ps I have a blind duck that was absolutely determined to survive. They can do well against all odds.

    No holidays, too many birds.
    Posted 1 year ago #

  28. loghomelover
    Member

    I posted pictures of her today on facebook. We got 2 ducks the same day, got them from Tractor supply store. her sister is fine, we got 5 chicks that day also, and one more duck a week later all from same store. We also have a 1 year old pekin and 1 year old rubein and 4 chickens all outdoors in coop. Babies are still indoors except for playtime. Vet says the bones are not yet fused in that bad leg,, there is swelling also. on the plus note her eyes look completely normal and so does her neck is not longer bald:)

    Posted 1 year ago #

  29. loghomelover
    Member

    UPDATE:
    My applogies to anyone that mentioned her diet.. I was under the idea that chick starter grower was good stuff.
    I called a animal rescue today and diet was the first thing she mentioned when i told her about the deformed foot.. she told me that they use 24% protein for all there chicks/ducklings. the starter formula i was using was only 20%. She did not have any prognoses for me as to if she thought it would fix itself with the right diet,, but i am keeping my fingers crossed. So now all of our chicks and ducklings are on 24% protein crumble and a multi vit. in there water. so wish i would have called this lady before the vet bill!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Posted 1 year ago #

  30. Mama
    Member

    Oh what good news for you and your duckies and well done on you for asking someone who knew what they were talking about .Just so pleased all may get better soon .Sad about the vet bill but think at least you did your best with that And a briiliant outcome at the end of the day.Happy Mama and Happy you and happy chicks and duckies .x

    Goose Girl
    Posted 1 year ago #

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