Doddery Duckling

Honk

Honk

New member
Joined
Oct 18, 2015
Messages
37
Reaction score
0
We had a bit of an accident this year and one of our ducks succeeded in concealing 13 eggs from us and before we knew it our pond was looking just a bit more crowded. They're about three weeks old now and they've all been getting along fine. But I noticed one was struggling to walk the other day and that evening, I discovered him or her lying on their back in the woods on their own. He (for the time being) looked to be a bit drunk and just couldn't stand up or walk properly so he's come indoors but continues to struggle. Lots of searching later and I've got him on niacin but I'm not convinced that's the problem as his legs seem good and strong and they're not splayed at all. It's only been two days but I've not really seen much, if any, improvement. Here's a video which shows him trying to dry off after a bath: https://photos.app.goo.gl/6HSVB4aaLY81BJuM9 (it'd be funny if I knew he was going to be ok). They all have access to un-medicated chick crumb, they live completely free range with a couple of acres of grass and woods to wander around in, we've not separated them from the rest of the gang (adult ducks, geese and guinea fowl) but their mum's been great at fending off anyone that gets a bit too interested. The other 12 ducklings are nearly twice the size of #13 but other than that, I hadn't really noticed any issues with any of them and specifially #13 didn't appear to have any locomotion issues. When he came indoors, he did have a leech in his nase which he successfully wrestled out by himself and I'm wondering if that might have something to do with it. Finally, when he's just sitting down or swimming around, he seems perfectly happy and looks completely normal (https://photos.app.goo.gl/AZFGnBfzwWXqkbCT9). I want him back out with his mates as quick as possible but he'll never make it in his current state. My vet's very willing but not that up on poultry so they're usually my last port of call. Any help or guidance much appreciated. Thanks.
 
Little update. It's possible the niacin was the issue. Took him out this morning where he got very excited to see mum and his brothers and sisters. Put him on the grass and he ran the 10 metres to the pond without stacking it. Bit of a crazy run but it looked steadier than when I first noticed he was having trouble. Some of his siblings decided they didn't want him back and were a bit bullish and trying to push him under but he stuck it out clearly happy to be back. They then all went for a bit of a graze and when they finally laid down, he remained standing for a long time. Not sure why but he has spent the last three days sitting so maybe he's fed up with it. I'll keep an eye on him today and probably bring him in tonight just to ensure he gets his dose of vitamins. He's half the size of the others and he's still wobbly but hopefully he's on the up.
 
Hi!
Firstly... I WANT HIM!!! What a cute little duckling! Seems they have a wonderful life with you. What breed is he?
It could well be that he just has developmental issues which could be related to a number of things. The extra vitamins will certainly help him, brewers yeast on his food will also help a lot.
If he had been on his back for a while it could have cut off oxygen to his brain which in turn causes ataxia and this can last from anything from a few hours to the rest of his life, some never recover, it all depends on how long his oxygen supply was compromised.
I suspect he was wobbly to start with, then wobbled over and got stuck, which isn't uncommon at that age (happens a lot in commercial duck rearing sheds and they never recover) and that exacerbated the problem.
He looks very strong and seems to have the best possible chance with you. Not much a vet can do for these kind of issues to be honest so keep doing what you are doing. He may not live the longest or be the most robust but he certainly seems to have a wonderful quality of life!
More pictures please.
zo
 
Fingers crossed he's just a slow starter. I don't think he'd been lying on his back, on the occasion that I found him at least, for ever so long. He was paddling like billy-o trying to right himself. There's no timidity about him amongst his peers though they're still giving him a bit of a peck now and again. I'm much happier with him today than I was at the beginning of the week 'cause having seen him out and about I'm pretty confident he'll cope even though they've not welcomed him back. Originally, they were first generation Shetland/Khaki Campbell cross. This herd are 3rd generation and most of the runner has bred out of them.

Here's a few days worth of pictures of the little chap: https://photos.app.goo.gl/xJcq9PATLNcKyPEd7
 
He is absolutely adorable! Thank you! Would love to see the others and Mum and Dad! Always fancies a Shetland! Where are you based?
 
We're in Salisbury so depending on where you are in Dorset, not a million miles away and as luck would have it, we might have a few to spare all of a sudden! Here's a little video of the adults last year: https://photos.app.goo.gl/CYDZpgWDWR9vvvdG7 My internet's almost none-existent at the moment so it's about the best I can manage currently.
 
No problem. Special 10* for 1 offer with every duckling.

* all drakes
 
I must have fallen for that sale tactic before as I seem to have 6 domestic drakes of my own, all of whom have to be separated for 6 months of the year. I am an expert drake juggler!
 
I didn't separate mine this year and the ladies suffered so it'll be like Tenko down there come spring. Going to be a real nuisance as there are far more drakes and they love the pond but seems mean to jail the ladies when they're not the victims. On the upside, it would make finding the nests much easier.
 
Tenko is a great analogy! I find it easier to pen up drakes and ladies in groups that get on or the drakes still fight between themselves ??
 
I hadn't considered grouping them, that's a great idea. Luckily, I've only had one case of serious bullying within the drakes and sitting the culprit in the naughty pen for a few days allowed the ostracised chap to return to the fold and made the bully consider the error of his ways.
 
It’s a great idea if you don’t mind having 6 pens, 6 houses, six sets of food bowls and six clones to see to their needs all summer ?
 
I'm sorry to report that Poo Diddy was put to sleep this afternoon. He'd been getting worse over the previous week. Today he was completely unable to get up without flipping straight onto his back despite his determination and obvious strength in his legs. I took him to a vet with poultry expertise and she said it was almost certainly a neurological problem. A real shame. Thanks for the help and advice.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top