Eunice was hatched with wry neck. It is a condition that is caused by an irregular positioning in the egg. The muscles of the neck are twisted and the duckling cannot straighten the neck out. Most ducklings die in the first bit of life, because they cannot eat or drink properly. Eunice was able to manage to feed herself and get water down her crooked throat and although she initially was very small for her age, she did keep up with the other ducklings. It is sad to say, but even in nature, the ducklings recognized that Eunice was different and they shunned her and bit her. She sat off by herself most of the time.
As she got older, it was obvious she was a pure bred Rouen duck and she has acquired a decent size for a female, though not one that should be bred. It is unclear as to whether or not wry neck could be gentetically predispositioned, but it is best not to take a chance with her offspring, just in case. Life for her has not been easy.
To rest, Eunice must put her head down on the ground. Holding her head up must take a tremendous toll on her muscles and she tires easily. I suspect she feels pain too. She cannot tuck her head under her wing when she sleeps either, and I was concerned that she would be too cold this winter and freeze. She has done well though, despite her terrible handicap. Eunice is most often by herself, near the other ducks, but not too close or they will bite her and send her away. Poor Eunice.
I don't know how she feels exactly, but sort of, for I too, have a crooked spine and cannot do what others can, though fortunately for me, the handicap is invisible to most folks. I did not have the heart to do away with Eunice and she has a tender spot in my heart. I do hope she makes it through the winter and gets a chance to lay some eggs and know what being a female duck is all about. Her life may not be long, but on the Fat Ewe Farm, she will be loved and cherished just as she is.
As she got older, it was obvious she was a pure bred Rouen duck and she has acquired a decent size for a female, though not one that should be bred. It is unclear as to whether or not wry neck could be gentetically predispositioned, but it is best not to take a chance with her offspring, just in case. Life for her has not been easy.
To rest, Eunice must put her head down on the ground. Holding her head up must take a tremendous toll on her muscles and she tires easily. I suspect she feels pain too. She cannot tuck her head under her wing when she sleeps either, and I was concerned that she would be too cold this winter and freeze. She has done well though, despite her terrible handicap. Eunice is most often by herself, near the other ducks, but not too close or they will bite her and send her away. Poor Eunice.
I don't know how she feels exactly, but sort of, for I too, have a crooked spine and cannot do what others can, though fortunately for me, the handicap is invisible to most folks. I did not have the heart to do away with Eunice and she has a tender spot in my heart. I do hope she makes it through the winter and gets a chance to lay some eggs and know what being a female duck is all about. Her life may not be long, but on the Fat Ewe Farm, she will be loved and cherished just as she is.
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