Pekin duckling leg twisted

[godusjourney]

First time posting here. We just moved to the country and are getting started with our little family farm!!

We have 2 Pekin ducks that are about 5 weeks old. They've been in the duckling brooder box with smaller (different breed) ducklings ever since we got them (at about 2 weeks old). They have grown astronomically the last couple of weeks. I've been noticing that one of them (the smaller one) can't walk very well. It seems to be getting worse. I finally got their house and pen finished today, and got them all out there (they are SO, SO happy!!). But she still just can't walk. She hobbles along and gets around, but she is just not walking. When she stands up, I can see that one leg is twisted under her so that her foot is directly under her belly.

I've never raised ducks before and have no idea what could have caused this. Was it the quick growth? (I think they doubled their weight in just a few days, for some reason) Did she hurt herself on something and started favoring that foot therefore causing it to twist funny? What could it be? How can I get it fixed up? Has anyone dealt with this before?? I don't want to "put her out of her misery," unless absolutely necessary - she is the nicer one and very sweet.

Anyone have some advice? I'm all ears!!

Thanks in advance!
Sarah

[Chicky2]

I couldn't read and not post. I have no idea what would have caused it. I'm sorry she's not doing well. Have you tried calling a vet? Back when we just started w/chickens I took a chicken to the vet, lol. I just chalked it up to a learning experience that cost me $80. Is it broken? Is it at the knee, or hip that it's twisted? If you don't want to try to put it back in place, you're going to have to make a decision. She can't be comfortable. Good luck.

Can you call the person you got them from?

[godusjourney]

Originally Posted by Chicky2

I couldn't read and not post. I have no idea what would have caused it. I'm sorry she's not doing well. Have you tried calling a vet? Back when we just started w/chickens I took a chicken to the vet, lol. I just chalked it up to a learning experience that cost me $80. Is it broken? Is it at the knee, or hip that it's twisted? If you don't want to try to put it back in place, you're going to have to make a decision. She can't be comfortable. Good luck.

Can you call the person you got them from?

Thanks!!

I think I'm going to call a vet office today and figure out what is up. I've done numerous online searches, but not finding anything. It seems like her legs are twisted (or at least one of them) even more than normal for ducks. Her one foot keeps stepping on the other foot. It looks like it might be twisted at the hip. Also, the pad/ball in the middle of the bottom of the foot is puffy on the side that she limps on. Maybe it's just hurt... ??

Maybe it really is dislocated and a vet visit would put it back where it belongs. I've also seen vets be really rough with others' animals and end up killing the animal with their adjustments - that scares me. I'm sure she isn't comfortable, poor thing.

A friend got them for us from a feed store for my son's birthday. The feed store would definitely not know anything (I've asked them questions before and they never have an answer).

I'll see what the vet says. Thanks!!!!

[Chicky2]

Keep me posted. I don't have ducks (yet), but I do have plenty of chickens and guineas, lol. (and rabbits and goats, oh my!) Surely your vet can help.