CALL DUCKS ARE HATCHING!!!

[calichicken]

He won't open his eyes, though. In the 8 hours or so he's been out of the egg he's opened them maybe 4 times? Is that normal?

You want him to open his eyes...but if he has a lot of absorbing to do..he may not as he needs to gain strength. Hopefully he will more as he keeps absorbing! Also make sure he is plenty warm!

 

[Amykins]

Gave him a warm "sponge bath" with some q-tips to get the gunk off him, He pulled away from the shell but he seems to be doing ok. Except he can't seem to stand up. He'll try but then fall over.

 

[calichicken]

Gave him a warm "sponge bath" with some q-tips to get the gunk off him, He pulled away from the shell but he seems to be doing ok. Except he can't seem to stand up. He'll try but then fall over.

Give him time

If he pulled away from the shell on his own, then that's good! He may still need to gain more strength. I know with chicks there are things you can add to their water to help gain strength once they begin eating/drinking so I would look into it for ducks as well. Probably would help. Just remember this little one has been through an ordeal in hatching, especially if he is still working on absorbing the yolk since that is what gives them their nutrition until they begin eating...usually 24
hrs after hatching.

 

[Amykins]

He's partially fluffed, looks pretty scraggly though, poor thing. Still can't keep his head upright. I wonder if being stuck in the egg may have injured or damaged it - I hope not. He doesn't peep when I try to gently prod it upright though, so he doesn't appear to be in pain. We'll see. I hope he makes it through the night...first thing in the morning I'm running to the drugstore to get some baby vitamins for him. There's nowhere local that sells sav-a-chick.

 

[calichicken]

He's partially fluffed, looks pretty scraggly though, poor thing. Still can't keep his head upright. I wonder if being stuck in the egg may have injured or damaged it - I hope not. He doesn't peep when I try to gently prod it upright though, so he doesn't appear to be in pain. We'll see. I hope he makes it through the night...first thing in the morning I'm running to the drugstore to get some baby vitamins for him. There's nowhere local that sells sav-a-chick.

Hows he doing with his yolk sac?

 

[Amykins]

No sign of it, far as I can tell, although his "belly button" is a bit swollen. But he still can't seem to right himself - right now he's passed out on his back. He just can't seem to get the hang of standing up. I know this isn't normal, and as much as I hold out hope I know the odds are stacked against him.

At least naming him "Wobbles" seems apropos, given the situation.

Edit: Also, he's shedding fuzz. There are tiny yellow bits everywhere. Is that just a chick/duckling thing or just another sign of bad things to come?

 

[calichicken]

No sign of it, far as I can tell, although his "belly button" is a bit swollen. But he still can't seem to right himself - right now he's passed out on his back. He just can't seem to get the hang of standing up. I know this isn't normal, and as much as I hold out hope I know the odds are stacked against him.

At least naming him "Wobbles" seems apropos, given the situation.

Edit: Also, he's shedding fuzz. There are tiny yellow bits everywhere. Is that just a chick/duckling thing or just another sign of bad things to come?

Not sure of the "shedding". If you can, I would take a picture and post up on the emergencies area and see if anyone can advise. I have only had one duckling that hatched early needing to absorb the yolk sac, but once that happened that baby was ok. I kept him in the incubator while he absorbed and then another day maybe to dry and fluff...get his energy up. He was a runt but healthy. It did take a day or so for him to be active, so don't give up hope

Little buggers have a way of pulling through sometimes!

 

[Amykins]

Here's a video of him, you can see how he just can't get his head up. If he makes it through the night I'll feel way more optimistic.

 

[calichicken]

Oh poor wobbles! I asked someone to peek in on your thread and see if they can help so check back in and see if they respond

One of my chicks did this, but it had splayed legs...not the same here

 

[Lacrystol]

Only 1 of my 3 has pipped, and he was trapped under the membrane. His bill is just so tiny. I hope he makes it!!! Or she. Bleh. I want my baby ducky!

LOL THE CALL DUCK CHALLENGE!!!!