How To Strengthen Duck Leg

[Victoriasducks]

This is my second year having ducks. I have a 13 week Pekin hen (now names Gimpy) that was injured in a flock stampede 3 weeks ago. She won’t put weight on one of her legs. She’ll swim with it and lift it to scratch her neck but that’s it. She’s been living in the bathtub these 3 weeks and I have her on a towel so she doesn’t slip.

I’ve given the electrolyte vitamin powder in her water here and there. Sometimes she swims but not every day because I’m in a hurry if it will help, I’ll have her swim more.

I bright in one of her sisters today to swim in the tub at cleaning time and I can see that the sister’s legs are fatter/bigger than Gimpy’s.

Is she hopelessly broken? Does she still have a chance? What can I do for her? Should she go outside? Should she swim? Should I get her more greens? I’m at a loss. I don’t want her life to be in a bathtub and I’m also tired of cleaning duck poop daily in my one bathroom.

Photo added for cuteness. Gimp is the clean one.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Such beautiful ducks! I'm no help but just tagging an awesome lady that can help. @Miss Lydia

Just because this might be helpful for some of the amazing folks here,
What does she eat?
Do you give extra niacin?
I had a duckling with a deformed foot that was a week old before it came to me. I was able to get it to where it can walk (aka waddle, hahaha! Isn't the duck waddle the cutest!?!?) by splinting and administering vit B complex (which is highly recommended for ducks here). I know your duck isn't experiencing the same problem as a deformity but the vit B complex is still highly recommended.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Also, @casportpony and I believe @Eggcessive are always helpful with duck info. And @DuckyDonna and @Texas Kiki are wonderful as well

I know there are others but I haven't posted or read as many duck threads. If I didn't tag someone that is amazingly knowledgeable, please know that I didn't intentionally leave anyone out. BYC is such a wonderful place that is full of members that are incredibly knowledgeable and kind.

 

[Eggcessive]

I’m not really familiar with ducks, but some of the others tagged are.

 

[Victoriasducks]

Just because this might be helpful for some of the amazing folks here,
What does she eat?
Do you give extra niacin?
I had a duckling with a deformed foot that was a week old before it came to me. I was able to get it to where it can walk (aka waddle, hahaha! Isn't the duck waddle the cutest!?!?) by splinting and administering vit B complex (which is highly recommended for ducks here). I know your duck isn't experiencing the same problem as a deformity but the vit B complex is still highly recommended.

Food: layer feed with corn non-medicated. Meal worm treats when I change her towel and clean the bathtub, daily. Sometimes dandelion greens but we’re running out now that it’s a very chilly fall.

I using durvet vitamins and electrolytes in her water. About 1tsp because this bag is for a large trough. But I’m not consistent with it. I have a fear of over doing it.

 

[Miss Lydia]

At 13 weeks they shouldn't be on layer feed. and corn should be a treat only not part of feeding. If you can find an All flock feed that would be ideal then when your ducks begin laying you can switch to layer or just continue to offer the All flock and just put out oyster shell on the side. Too much calcium at a young age can cause problems with their bones and kidneys.

Vitamins and electrolytes is okay on hot days, or if you have a bird that is feeling poorly and needs the electrolytes because it's not drinking much and may be dehydrated. What your duckling needs is Liquid B complex It will help support during growth or injury. Can you post some pics of your ducks legs? You say they aren't as large as the other Pekin? With an injury time, rest, support of vitamins and water therapy are essential. water therapy using warm water to keep the muscles relaxed at least 1X a day more often if you can. Liquid B complex Is one of the best ways to ensure strong legs and Pekins need a lot of support because they grow very fast. Their legs can suffer because of it. TSC carries a liquid b complex in the cattle dept it will say injectable but we use it orally. Just put 1 ml over something your duckling really likes just enough treat that she gobbles it up and get the full dose of the liquid do this 2X a day for 1 week then drop back to 1X a day until fully recovered. If your sure this is an injury and weak legs. You should notice improvement pretty quick.

 

[Victoriasducks]

At 13 weeks they shouldn't be on layer feed. and corn should be a treat only not part of feeding. If you can find an All flock feed that would be ideal then when your ducks begin laying you can switch to layer or just continue to offer the All flock and just put out oyster shell on the side. Too much calcium at a young age can cause problems with their bones and kidneys.

Vitamins and electrolytes is okay on hot days, or if you have a bird that is feeling poorly and needs the electrolytes because it's not drinking much and may be dehydrated. What your duckling needs is Liquid B complex It will help support during growth or injury. Can you post some pics of your ducks legs? You say they are as large as the other Pekin? With an injury time, rest, support of vitamins and water therapy are essential. water therapy using warm water to keep the muscles relaxed at least 1X a day more often if you can. Liquid B complex I one of the best ways to ensure strong legs and Pekins need a lot of support because they grow very fast. Their legs can suffer because of it. TSC carries a liquid b complex in the cattle dept it will say injectable but we use it orally. Just put 1 ml over something your duckling really likes just enough treat that she gobbles it up and get the full dose of the liquid do this 2X a day for 1 week then drop back to 1X a day until fully recovered. If your sure this is an injury and weak legs. You should notice improvement pretty quick.

Thank you thank you! I’ll get that stuff today. Ugh. I feel so bad for getting her the wrong food.

It’s 5:30 am right now and the house is still asleep. I’ll take a photo of their legs with husbands help.

And yup, I’m sure it was an injury. I was there when it happened. Everything else about her is great. She drinks and eats very well. She still talks to the flock from the bathtub because they’re right outside her window. Cleans herself, is very aware, chatter box.

 

[Miss Lydia]

It's fine we all make mistakes and we learn from them. Just get her going in the right way now, hopefully this will be the beginning of a turn around. And please post some pics of her legs while holding her so we can see up close what your worried about.

 

[Victoriasducks]

So I feed the the Scratch and Peck Brand layer feed. Can I switch to their grower feed? Is that the one I want?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thank you thank you! I’ll get that stuff today. Ugh. I feel so bad for getting her the wrong food.

It’s 5:30 am right now and the house is still asleep. I’ll take a photo of their legs with husbands help.

And yup, I’m sure it was an injury. I was there when it happened. Everything else about her is great. She drinks and eats very well. She still talks to the flock from the bathtub because they’re right outside her window. Cleans herself, is very aware, chatter box.

Then hopefully with support she'll make full recovery and maybe she already had an issue that wasn't noticeable and then getting injured really set it off. I happened to be sitting out with my flock when I noticed my Runners legs shaking hadn't noticed anything like this until that day I knew it had to be he wasn't getting enough niacin so I put him and the others on liquid B complex and it cleared right up. One nice thing about the complex is they get all the B's and everyone is so good for them. Now my flock get Nutritional yeast which is loaded in B vitamins sprinkled on their feed so even as adults I know they are getting all they need. I use it too.