baby duck worries

[EricH]

Hi everybody, i'm probably being a worry wort but heres my situation -

ducks supposed to hatch friday night/sat morning - turned off the turner last night and was gonna take the turner out today (wednesday) and i get home and one is haulin butt out of the shell. He gets out and isnt doin too good with the auto-turner. so i warmed another bator up and switched him over as quick as i could so he could dry out. long story short - the little guy seems perfectly healthy, BUT it seems like he isnt walkin too well. Do ducklings take some time to figure out how to walk? or is this guy maybe not right? it seems like he has a decent amount of strength - the legs dont seem misgrown or deformed. he's been out of the shell approx. 5 hours. i sure hope he's ok - this thing is TOO cute

 

[DuckLover179]

I'm not experienced with hatching, but I do know ducklings take a while to get their balance. Give him a few more hours, and see how he's doing. Remember, even when he does get his balance he will still stumble a lot, but as he gets older he will get better footing.

He should be fine!

 

[EricH]

ok, thats what i was hoping. thanks.

 

[Duck Mad]

Dont duckling take time to try out and ajust to the new world ? ducklings often won't eat or drink until about 24 hours after hatching. They still have all the nutrients from the sack in the egg.. i think your duckling is probably ok

fingers crossed

 

[Duck Mad]

Quote:
Both thinking same

But hang up my adult ducks still trip down steps

 

[firsthouse_mp]

Such a cute duck!!! Hope it survives and thrives

 

[The Duck ABC's]

I had ducklings that had legs pulled up into a closed position at birth. Most of the time they were just cramped into their egg and they are born with a foot "fallen asleep". At least that is what I like to call it. It goes a way, but may take up to 2 days. I supplement all my ducklings with vitamins, minerals, and probiotics. The ones that are a little bit weaker have to take one bill full every 4 hours. For that I use a small cup with the fortified water, dip their bill in and lift it up. That is enough for one swallow. You do not want to force it. So don't sweat it, because it will just take a little bit of time. It's hard to get yourself out of the shell, so no surprise that it is exhausted.

 

[gofasterstripe]

You would be clumsy on your feet too if you had flappers that size

 

[askjcm2005]

Had my first hatch ever on monday (a pekin duckling) but my silkies hatched it. I didnt knoe exactly how long it had been hatched but it was still drying off so couldnt have been too long. It did have trouble walking at first but is fine now. Then this morning I found another hatched over night and same thing, its falling on it back running into the little cardboard box I have in there cage for them to sleep in but its already trying to figure it out and follows the other 2 ducklings we have around the cage who are a couple days.older. I read a few websites on monday when the first hatched and read it takes them a day or so to walk stable. You could always supplement with niacin to help them a little.

 

[EricH]

that little duck is running around like crazy now.... must be part runner duck or something! he sure has gotten better.... FAST. im glad hes ok, thanks for the input/advice.