Baby Duckling with Pasty Butt... First-time hatcher.. PLEASE HELP

[JSelvaggi]

No luck when I found it as I held her she decided she no longer wanted to be held. It sticks out of her skin like a dried vein, it is hidden within her fur/feathers. It doesn't appear to hurt because she doesn't flinch or cheep when I stroke her. It's located on the back of her neck moreso than her back.

 

[Sparrow]

Weird...maybe a dried blood vessel from inside the egg membranes. That would be my most likely guess, especially if it doesn't seem to hurt at all.

 

[JSelvaggi]

That's what I had assumed also. I'll keep an eye out. And tomorrow I will clean if necessary and add olive oil to the actual vent, not her belly button. I'm also going to let them play in some shallow water since they seem to have so much fun in their waterer.

 

[Sparrow]

Sounds good! They do love water time, when they're so small, I just give them enough to cover their feet and make it a bit warm. Not like human bath water, but not chilly either. Just a few minutes should satisfy them and wear the little beasties out! Let me know how she is doing.

 

[JSelvaggi]

The ducklings loved swimming! Two of the smaller guys even did their little duckie dives a couple of times! Once I saw one of the smaller ducklings start to slow down and appear tired, I had brought them back in. I dried their feathers with a towel as best I could since they really don't like to be away from each other and then I put them in their brooder with the lamp lower (in it's original spot). One they were pretty much dry, I repositioned my lamp a little higher as I mentioned last night (in case it's the cause for my big girl's pasty butt). They are having fun in their brooder from time to time and sleeping when they aren't moving. They are going through lots of water and some food (not nearly as much).

Her pasty butt is minimal. And the swim helped rinse some more poop out of her fluff. She's sleeping now while the others are drinking and eating.

Here are the little guys swimming: