Hi, I am a first time duck owner, my husband picked her (him?) up at the feed store the other day while getting me some new chickens. I have four three yr old laying hens, and got four new baby chicks as well as the duckling. All were day old when I got them, I've had them all for almost three weeks. My duck was doing fine, she's a pekin. I moved them all into my large coop about a week ago, they were in a wood crate I use for raising chicks, it has a light, large water pan, food, ect and a small, medium and large door so I can transition chicks into the flock but they can still hide from the big chickens.
Anyways, all seemed fine, two chicks and the duck were brave and ventured out to be harrassed by my hens, and to hide under them in their nest, ect. Then I noticed my duck wasn't meeting me at the coop door like normal, and she was really easy to catch. Anyways, for two days, she hasn't walked, she's been scooting around the crate on her belly. Today she stood for long enough to eat, took a break, got a drink standing, and then returned to scooting. Whats wrong with her?
Her legs work, they just seem too weak to hold her up, like she grew to fast for them or something. My husband said I moved them into the big coop too early, but it's the same time I've always done it for the chicks.
The chicks and ducklings are on fortified poultry grower, the stuff with antibiotics. Feed store said it'd be fine for ducks too, plenty of water, but not enough to swim in, it's warm, shavings on crate floor I change every other day.
Can anyone lend me some ideas? If it doesn't affect her quality of life, I'll keep her regardless (my husband said eat her! lol) she's still fiesty and everyone respects her space despite her not standing, but it happened so fast I'm sure theres something I can do to help her......
