13 day old duckling with spraddle leg or pulled muscle?

[WVduckchick]

Any better today Marly?
Some ducklings just take a little longer to understand how to use their legs. Most do great on the puppy pads, but occasionally some slip on them, so you may try an old towel, t-shirt, or something to get better grip on the floor. I bought a cheap pack of 4 terry cloth wash cloths for a dollar, and lay one in the brooder for traction. Easy to rinse when they make their mess on it, and swap them out. Just until they are walking well.

Have you had them in the bath tub yet? Water therapy can help get their legs going straight too. Obviously don’t let them get too soaked, get them dry and warm quickly afterward, etc, etc.

 

[aart]

W

Have you had them in the bath tub yet? Water therapy can help get their legs going straight too. Obviously don’t let them get too soaked, get them dry and warm quickly afterward, etc, etc.

I was wondering about this.
Have read that broody raised ducklings get some oils from mama and so can 'swim' sooner?
But how long does it take a brooder raised ducking to get it's oils distributed enough to float properly?

 

[WVduckchick]

W

I was wondering about this.
Have read that broody raised ducklings get some oils from mama and so can 'swim' sooner?
But how long does it take a brooder raised ducking to get it's oils distributed enough to float properly?

As with everything else here on BYC, there are mixed opinions on when to swim. I personally put ones that I hatch in water anytime during the first week. Warm, and very shallow, so their feet can still touch bottom at first. And just for a few minutes. They can float just fine right away, but they can get waterlogged quickly. They learn to preen their oil gland pretty fast though, and spread it around their body. So at first, I watch for how quickly their feathers look soaked, then gradually increase the bath time. Towel or blow dry immediately.

 

[aart]

As with everything else here on BYC, there are mixed opinions on when to swim. I personally put ones that I hatch in water anytime during the first week. Warm, and very shallow, so their feet can still touch bottom at first. And just for a few minutes. They can float just fine right away, but they can get waterlogged quickly. They learn to preen their oil gland pretty fast though, and spread it around their body. So at first, I watch for how quickly their feathers look soaked, then gradually increase the bath time. Towel or blow dry immediately.

Excellent description....once again, observations are better than 'numbers'!

 

[MarlyMonster]

Any better today Marly?
Some ducklings just take a little longer to understand how to use their legs. Most do great on the puppy pads, but occasionally some slip on them, so you may try an old towel, t-shirt, or something to get better grip on the floor. I bought a cheap pack of 4 terry cloth wash cloths for a dollar, and lay one in the brooder for traction. Easy to rinse when they make their mess on it, and swap them out. Just until they are walking well.

Have you had them in the bath tub yet? Water therapy can help get their legs going straight too. Obviously don’t let them get too soaked, get them dry and warm quickly afterward, etc, etc.

His little leg is still a little funny. He can walk well but when he stops moving it just kinda slides to the side. Should I maybe hobble him for a day or two to help straighten it out? I’ll lay a towel down for today to see if that helps him.

They haven’t been in the tub yet but I have a little paint tray that I fill with warm water and let them splash around in.

 

[aart]

They haven’t been in the tub yet but I have a little paint tray that I fill with warm water and let them splash around in.

I saw that vid and wondered if it was paint tray....might put something on bottom of that for traction.

 

[MarlyMonster]

I saw that vid and wondered if it was paint tray....might put something on bottom of that for traction.

It’s surprisingly grippy, I was amazed! It’s got slight ribs to keep them from slipping, especially Tony loves it haha

 

[MarlyMonster]

Just took a closer look at Tony’s leg and it seems to be twisted to the outside right at his knee (? Like higher to his body where the bend is, whatever that is lol)
I just can’t tell if that was already like that or if the slip caused it. It doesn’t seem dislocated though. Just gave them a swim in a kiddy pool and his left leg keeps kinda floating away from him almost so he keeps kicking it in the water. Will post a video shortly

 

[MarlyMonster]

https://imgur.com/gallery/YY09yeL

 

[WVduckchick]

Hmmmm, does even sorta try to paddle with it out to the side. You are providing extra niacin, correct?

@casportpony @Miss Lydia @Pyxis
Any suggestions?