What can I use to strenghten joints?

[Angela]

Got a duckling with a bad knee. She hatched fine, but became gimpy over the next couple of weeks. The knee joint is like rubber, with no strength. The other leg is fine.

Any suggestions?

I've lowered the protien level of her food, but she is growing by leaps and bounds. I 'm sure the extra weight is agitating the situation. I would hate to cull her at this late date....but it doesn't look promising.

Angela

[Angela]

Never mind....put her down.

[kenmisk]

Angela,
You may feel bad about putting her down, but that was the best thing to do. For the duck's sake and yours too.
Ken

[Angela]

Yeah, I know....I just hate when I have to do it. I will try EVERYTHING and ANYTHING, but I know when I'm beat.

[Evy]

Bummer, but it happens. Do they have swim water right from the start ? My pens & wet-brooders are set up so that ducklings can swim from day 1. Just my opinion, but they seem to be stronger than when they sat around in a ''box'' for 2 weeks. I've tried to emulate nature where the ducklings are taken to water as soon as they're dry enough to leave the nest. They also feather faster when they have heat on demand rather than being kept under a lamp 24/7.

[Angela]

Yeah, They're in a pen with a couple large pans to swim in. I kept them in a chicken tractor for a couple of weeks, waiting for the weather to break. It's been unseasonably cold and extremely wet...but they've been out, without heat, for a week or two.

I swear, I think she just grew to fast and her legs couldn't keep up. To much weight I think. She was a big bird for her age.

Ah well, it happens.

[Evy]

Yeah, They're in a pen with a couple large pans to swim in. I kept them in a chicken tractor for a couple of weeks, waiting for the weather to break. It's been unseasonably cold and extremely wet...but they've been out, without heat, for a week or two.

I swear, I think she just grew to fast and her legs couldn't keep up. To much weight I think. She was a big bird for her age.

Ah well, it happens.

I agree with you. Too much protien or just too much feed can do it, just like with large breed dogs. I've seen it & angel-wing also happen with a corn-only diet. It's hard when they always act starved!