I am writing to basically give some general information on a duck situation. Over the last month and a half or so I have done research online and sought information regarding a duck I have who has presented with some pretty odd behavior. We...myself and a knowledgeable member here on BYC...have come to the conclusion that Calvin the Pekin's issue were likely caused by a near drowning as a duckling and exacerbated by size as she (yes she, lol) has grown. My hope is that in knowing what to look for in advance, should you experience a near drowning/hypothermia situation with your own duckling, you can ward off what Calvin is experiencing as well as bring some attention to the fact that ducks CAN drown.
First off...duck drowning:
My lil Calvin and her duckling sister were about 3 1/2 weeks and about half feathered when I thought, as a newer duck mom, that they might enjoy some swim time with their bigger (6 weeks) and fully feathered flock mates. And they did!
Many experienced duck owners know without my saying, what I already did wrong. And by wrong, I mean "with less information than I should've had before I made that decision". Ducklings who are not fully feathered CAN have swim time. But they MUST be monitored and the swim time MUST be limited, especially in non-tropical weather. It was May in Michigan. Shy of 50F in the sun on a nice day is still very chilly when wet.
Now, Calvin and Dobby were loving the water which was just a tote with a brick for easily exiting the water. I made sure they could get in and out by themselves. Did some yard chores nearby as they played. Then I remembered dinner in the oven and ran in to take it out. I was out of view for 10 minutes. When I came back out, the older ducks were just sitting near the tote. The younger 2 were huddled against the side, on the brick, motionless and tipped over...tips of tails and heads were only bits visible. Eyes were open. They did not even begin to move as I came near. I assumed they needed help out because perhaps they were cold or their legs were tired. I picked Calvin up first as she was about to go under. Had to grab Dobby fast because only Calvin's weight had kept her from tipping over fully. Neither of them moved. Both were hard as a rock. They felt and looked like decoys with open eyes. My stomach turned and I feared the worst. I left the other ducks out there and immediately grabbed another tote, put a good number of fresh shavings in it, wrapped the ducks in a towel and went to grab the heat lamp and my phone. I asked BYC what to do emergently. I got the heat lamp and the tote and put the ducklings in it. While I was waiting for replies on the site, I searched "duckling drowning". So far, at least, what I had done to help them was right. I took some time to hand dry them more thoroughly with the towel. What I did not do was blow dry them, which I DID read in the threads I found on BYC and now regret not doing. I was afraid it would traumatize them and somehow be worse. Soon I had some other replies that were helpful and within the next two hours the ducklings were both nearly 100% dry and warmer. I gave them another 45 minutes or so under the lamp and then put them back with their flock in the pen in my mudroom but kept the lamp with them. I checked on them throughout the night and they were fine. No visible issues. Eating and drinking and moving as they should be. Crisis averted! Right? Flash forward to 2 weeks ago...my near drowned ducklings are fully feathered 2 month old seemingly healthy ducks...
I see Calvin trip. Like trip over her own feet and fall on her chest and bumble around to get up. Odd! Clutz! Later in the day I see her do it again and then spend some time watching her. I am not happy. She is not just a clutz. Her head is bobbing and swaying in what appears to be involuntary movement. She is walking strangely...more waddle than should be, difficulty staying in a straight forward path, swaying. All the while with this bizarre head bobbing issue. Thinking back, I realize it was probably her who I remember catching in the corner of my eye bumping the others or stumbling now and again but had chalked it up to ducks playing nearby. Sadly, that was likely not the case. Back to BYC for advice...
Suspecting a deficiency, I started more regular use of B complex for the flock and began administering Calvin her own big dose daily as well. Over the next 2 weeks no noticeable change.
And then I did some thinking...
Even though poor Miss Calvin appears not to be in any physical discomfort, she has a terrible time preening, is loosing some tail feathers. She looks to be losing some weight assumably due not to lack of eating but her speed in getting TO the food, specifically treats. She doesn't bother joining in the frenzy for fresh grasses or chopped fruits and veggies and the occasional noodle or cheerio...even if I try to give directly to her. (And she gets upset if I put the others in the coop and leave her with treats to enjoy in peace). We (a fellow BYC member helping me brainstorm) have come to this likely conclusion...the reason for this writing...
The neurological disorder:
Calvin likely suffered a lack of oxygen when she nearly drown with her "sister". She took longer to come around after the incident. They got waterlogged with not enough feathers, got tired exercising in the water, got cold not being able to get out of the pool. Hypothermia slows body functions. Including breathing. Including heart. Her oxygen was limited when her breathing slowed. The oxygen in her blood was not being circulated properly due to her heart likely slowing drastically. Her brain did not receive the oxygen it needed and through this ordeal, Calvin appears to have sustained neurological damage.
I shudder at what might have been had I spent just one more minute inside that afternoon. I don't know that her being somewhat disabled is better. But to think I nearly lost 2 ducklings from simply not knowing they could get waterlogged is...well it's ICKY! Over time, as she grew, her problem became more apparent due to her increased size/weight, as did her ability to preen while her balance and mobility were compromised. Her struggle became noticeable not because it got worse but because she was more awkward trying to compensate for her disability as a full sized duck.
This article serves several purposes. One, I find writing incredibly therapeutic. It is a release. It helps organize events of a situation. Two, should others have similar issues in their flock, they may see they are not alone. And three, three is the more important of the purposes:
DUCKS CAN, DO AND WILL get waterlogged. Ducklings MUST be supervised when in their water until they are FULLY FEATHERED. Their time in the pool should be LIMITED until feathered. Let them have some fun but 10-15 minutes supervised in temperatures above 60 would be best. Don't hesitate to towel them dry if they do not have adequate exposure to sun after their swim!
A hint for duckling water time...I now use a deeper cake pan or large shallow roaster to let my ducklings splash in. Anything that will hold 1"-2" of water depending in duckling size will do. They will LOVE it. They can safely play, walk and even lounge in it without being submerged and risking what Calvin and I have been through. My two indian runners are shy of 1 month old, about half feathered, and absolutely enjoy their big blue metal cake pan lol.
I don't know what the future holds for Miss Calvin. She may continue to lose weight and feathers and her lack of ability to preen may compromise her overall healthiness. (She does get baths but I certainly can't bathe her daily for the rest of her life). She may be put down. She may live a wobbly somewhat raggedy-looking happy life for many years. Hopefully this experience helps someone who needs to see this.
I have included 2 videos from this morning (notice Calvin nearly never stops shaking her tail...I don't know if that is involuntary from neuro damage or a balance thing) as well as my happy runner ducklings showing how much they love their cake pan lounging pool. Goofy...but SAFE
As a disclaimer, I am NOT a veterinarian. I am NOT a medical professional or neurologist of any kind. I have a somewhat extensive yet simple medical knowledge (self taught and researched) and a short background in psychology as both fields interest me and I have worked in both fields. My final decisions on Calvin's condition come from my own knowledge, more research, BYC members' input and a fellow member's gracious help and conversations with me. In any situation that you deem emergent, SEEK HELP FROM A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL!
Now go enjoy your birds!! And WATCH THOSE DUCKLINGS during swim time! Happy clucking and ducking!
UPDATE 7/28/19:
Just shy of 4 months, Calvin seems to have made great strides! Regular B complex 2x daily in the flock water and time seem to be doing the trick. I am doubtful that she will regain full normal function but, very pleased with the improvement!
There is no more head bobbing. She does still have an exaggerated waddle, but just barely noticable unless she "runs". Then she is pretty obviously gimpy lol. She eats and drinks with zero issue but does on occasion let the others grab treats before she does. Other times she will thump someone with her beak and grab the treat lol. That makes me happy...that she can and will stand up for herself if necessary.
When she swims she is nearly normal. Only someone who knows her issues can tell she ever so slightly "waddles" as she paddles.
She still is a bit wobbly when preening and once in a while cocks her head a little funny or bends her neck as if she is a bit off lol.
All in all, our Calvin has come a very long way and has triumphed over a very unpleasant situation. Someone posted on a thread the other day that duck are incredibly good at healing. No joke there!
First off...duck drowning:
My lil Calvin and her duckling sister were about 3 1/2 weeks and about half feathered when I thought, as a newer duck mom, that they might enjoy some swim time with their bigger (6 weeks) and fully feathered flock mates. And they did!
Many experienced duck owners know without my saying, what I already did wrong. And by wrong, I mean "with less information than I should've had before I made that decision". Ducklings who are not fully feathered CAN have swim time. But they MUST be monitored and the swim time MUST be limited, especially in non-tropical weather. It was May in Michigan. Shy of 50F in the sun on a nice day is still very chilly when wet.
Now, Calvin and Dobby were loving the water which was just a tote with a brick for easily exiting the water. I made sure they could get in and out by themselves. Did some yard chores nearby as they played. Then I remembered dinner in the oven and ran in to take it out. I was out of view for 10 minutes. When I came back out, the older ducks were just sitting near the tote. The younger 2 were huddled against the side, on the brick, motionless and tipped over...tips of tails and heads were only bits visible. Eyes were open. They did not even begin to move as I came near. I assumed they needed help out because perhaps they were cold or their legs were tired. I picked Calvin up first as she was about to go under. Had to grab Dobby fast because only Calvin's weight had kept her from tipping over fully. Neither of them moved. Both were hard as a rock. They felt and looked like decoys with open eyes. My stomach turned and I feared the worst. I left the other ducks out there and immediately grabbed another tote, put a good number of fresh shavings in it, wrapped the ducks in a towel and went to grab the heat lamp and my phone. I asked BYC what to do emergently. I got the heat lamp and the tote and put the ducklings in it. While I was waiting for replies on the site, I searched "duckling drowning". So far, at least, what I had done to help them was right. I took some time to hand dry them more thoroughly with the towel. What I did not do was blow dry them, which I DID read in the threads I found on BYC and now regret not doing. I was afraid it would traumatize them and somehow be worse. Soon I had some other replies that were helpful and within the next two hours the ducklings were both nearly 100% dry and warmer. I gave them another 45 minutes or so under the lamp and then put them back with their flock in the pen in my mudroom but kept the lamp with them. I checked on them throughout the night and they were fine. No visible issues. Eating and drinking and moving as they should be. Crisis averted! Right? Flash forward to 2 weeks ago...my near drowned ducklings are fully feathered 2 month old seemingly healthy ducks...
I see Calvin trip. Like trip over her own feet and fall on her chest and bumble around to get up. Odd! Clutz! Later in the day I see her do it again and then spend some time watching her. I am not happy. She is not just a clutz. Her head is bobbing and swaying in what appears to be involuntary movement. She is walking strangely...more waddle than should be, difficulty staying in a straight forward path, swaying. All the while with this bizarre head bobbing issue. Thinking back, I realize it was probably her who I remember catching in the corner of my eye bumping the others or stumbling now and again but had chalked it up to ducks playing nearby. Sadly, that was likely not the case. Back to BYC for advice...
Suspecting a deficiency, I started more regular use of B complex for the flock and began administering Calvin her own big dose daily as well. Over the next 2 weeks no noticeable change.
And then I did some thinking...
Even though poor Miss Calvin appears not to be in any physical discomfort, she has a terrible time preening, is loosing some tail feathers. She looks to be losing some weight assumably due not to lack of eating but her speed in getting TO the food, specifically treats. She doesn't bother joining in the frenzy for fresh grasses or chopped fruits and veggies and the occasional noodle or cheerio...even if I try to give directly to her. (And she gets upset if I put the others in the coop and leave her with treats to enjoy in peace). We (a fellow BYC member helping me brainstorm) have come to this likely conclusion...the reason for this writing...
The neurological disorder:
Calvin likely suffered a lack of oxygen when she nearly drown with her "sister". She took longer to come around after the incident. They got waterlogged with not enough feathers, got tired exercising in the water, got cold not being able to get out of the pool. Hypothermia slows body functions. Including breathing. Including heart. Her oxygen was limited when her breathing slowed. The oxygen in her blood was not being circulated properly due to her heart likely slowing drastically. Her brain did not receive the oxygen it needed and through this ordeal, Calvin appears to have sustained neurological damage.
I shudder at what might have been had I spent just one more minute inside that afternoon. I don't know that her being somewhat disabled is better. But to think I nearly lost 2 ducklings from simply not knowing they could get waterlogged is...well it's ICKY! Over time, as she grew, her problem became more apparent due to her increased size/weight, as did her ability to preen while her balance and mobility were compromised. Her struggle became noticeable not because it got worse but because she was more awkward trying to compensate for her disability as a full sized duck.
This article serves several purposes. One, I find writing incredibly therapeutic. It is a release. It helps organize events of a situation. Two, should others have similar issues in their flock, they may see they are not alone. And three, three is the more important of the purposes:
DUCKS CAN, DO AND WILL get waterlogged. Ducklings MUST be supervised when in their water until they are FULLY FEATHERED. Their time in the pool should be LIMITED until feathered. Let them have some fun but 10-15 minutes supervised in temperatures above 60 would be best. Don't hesitate to towel them dry if they do not have adequate exposure to sun after their swim!
A hint for duckling water time...I now use a deeper cake pan or large shallow roaster to let my ducklings splash in. Anything that will hold 1"-2" of water depending in duckling size will do. They will LOVE it. They can safely play, walk and even lounge in it without being submerged and risking what Calvin and I have been through. My two indian runners are shy of 1 month old, about half feathered, and absolutely enjoy their big blue metal cake pan lol.
I don't know what the future holds for Miss Calvin. She may continue to lose weight and feathers and her lack of ability to preen may compromise her overall healthiness. (She does get baths but I certainly can't bathe her daily for the rest of her life). She may be put down. She may live a wobbly somewhat raggedy-looking happy life for many years. Hopefully this experience helps someone who needs to see this.
I have included 2 videos from this morning (notice Calvin nearly never stops shaking her tail...I don't know if that is involuntary from neuro damage or a balance thing) as well as my happy runner ducklings showing how much they love their cake pan lounging pool. Goofy...but SAFE
As a disclaimer, I am NOT a veterinarian. I am NOT a medical professional or neurologist of any kind. I have a somewhat extensive yet simple medical knowledge (self taught and researched) and a short background in psychology as both fields interest me and I have worked in both fields. My final decisions on Calvin's condition come from my own knowledge, more research, BYC members' input and a fellow member's gracious help and conversations with me. In any situation that you deem emergent, SEEK HELP FROM A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL!
Now go enjoy your birds!! And WATCH THOSE DUCKLINGS during swim time! Happy clucking and ducking!
UPDATE 7/28/19:
Just shy of 4 months, Calvin seems to have made great strides! Regular B complex 2x daily in the flock water and time seem to be doing the trick. I am doubtful that she will regain full normal function but, very pleased with the improvement!
There is no more head bobbing. She does still have an exaggerated waddle, but just barely noticable unless she "runs". Then she is pretty obviously gimpy lol. She eats and drinks with zero issue but does on occasion let the others grab treats before she does. Other times she will thump someone with her beak and grab the treat lol. That makes me happy...that she can and will stand up for herself if necessary.
When she swims she is nearly normal. Only someone who knows her issues can tell she ever so slightly "waddles" as she paddles.
She still is a bit wobbly when preening and once in a while cocks her head a little funny or bends her neck as if she is a bit off lol.
All in all, our Calvin has come a very long way and has triumphed over a very unpleasant situation. Someone posted on a thread the other day that duck are incredibly good at healing. No joke there!
