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The information below are just suggestions based on my own personal experience with Lemon, a neurologically handicapped duck.
I'm not a trained expert on ducks in general. Each pet's needs are unique and there are many different ideas out there. I
would also suggest seeking others' ideas. There are so many great creations. Try joining the Ducks with Disabilities group
on Facebook. I've had many requests for information on Lemon's equipment so I'm just sharing what I've done. I hope it is
helpful for you and your pet.
Eating on the deck. What could be better??
This equipment was used as Lemon was still growing. I used a medium doggie fido float that I purchased from Petco. Here's
what it looks like...
Fido Float
The frame was a modeled after a baby play gym using 1/2" pvc pipping. Here's an idea for the shape...
Baby gym
You need to measure your duck with the fido float to get the right height and width of the base so it doesn't tip. Your duck
will be able to move from side to side, muck in the grass, check things out, have fun! Always supervise for safety.
When Lemon was about 8 months old, her leg muscles were so strong she kept trying to walk forward in the fido float sling,
almost tipping it over. I realized that it was time to look into something that would give her more mobility. I took Lemon
to Sterling Impressions, an animal rehabber, for a consultation to get some ideas on what/where she needed support, as well
as get her measurements, so I could build the best possible assistive equipment for her. You can buy expensive/custom fit
ones on the internet but I was lucky to have a handy man make Lemon's using 1/2" pvc piping, coaster wheels, dowels to
anchor the wheels in the legs, and I used a dog sling size small from Jorvet. Click below.
Jorvet
I did not buy the metal frame from Jorvet because it's not custom made for ducks and the metal frame was much too heavy
for her to push. Once she got even stronger, I did need to have a new scooter made with 3/4" pipping which provided a
little extra weight so she wasn't tumbling over with enthusiasm. This is a trial and error process so don't get discouraged
if your first attempt at making a device isn't perfect. You need to have accurate measurements and I would wait to attach
the wheels until you're sure about the leg height. Sometimes Lemon likes to just stand and watch what's going on around her,
follow her family, preen, or zip around in her scooter. It's whatever she wants to do, whatever makes her happy. She usually
has her head above the front bar unless she's eating, then sometimes it's below. Always supervise your duck in the scooter
because things can go wrong. Once in a while Lemon puts her head under the bar and somersaults out (which doesn't hurt her
since she's so low to the ground but you don't want your duck lying on the floor) or she'll scoot along and get stuck in a
corner.
Ducks need their vitamin D and they are interested in everything, so why not take your duck for a walk? I used a baby carriage
and a boppy pillow. Click below.
Boppy Pillow
When Lemon was younger and she could manage better. Lemon's 10 now and she isn't successful with the pillow. I put her in
her little basket, or a dog bed lying down with a pillow to support her head and place that in the carriage.
Either way, she loves her walks...and the people she meets.
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