Call Ducks Finally Hatched

[casportpony]

Since we all love pics, I thought I'd throw out a few of my 4th and final one to hatch. It pipped just below the air cell, beak was hanging out the hole for a long time. But luckily, I could usually see inside the hole and hear it peeping, so I kept my distance and my fingers crossed.
I went through Sally Sunshine's assist post, and my Storey's Guide, and decided I would wait 48 hours before helping, if he was still in distress. So... I went to work this morning, couldn't get a darn thing done from worrying, so I came home and he had made it out on his own. About 41 hours from the time it broke the shell. I'm guessing at the time, based on how dry and fluffy he was by the time I got home.
Anyway, here's my little Opie. (He does have a bit of navel popped out, so I'm praying its not infected!)

Swedish ducks, by the way, not Calls. I might try my hand at Calls some day.

Congrats, it's adorable! Aren't you glad you waited?

I bow to you, 'cause you know I would have been picking at it at the 24-36 hour mark.

Next time I'll think of you and wait a few more hours!

-Kathy

 

[casportpony]

Quote: I suspect the vet has not given advice on how and what to tube to this newly hatched duckling.

-Kathy

 

[Julie Birb]

Who knows, hun. It could be the age of the hen, it could be the fact that they were shipped, it could just be they're so high quality, they're just far too delicate to handle the hatching process. I'm serious, even Wobbles wasn't so tiny and fragile; this baby's bill is positively teensy!

Right now I've got one baby chirping away, just gotta be patient and wait for those blood vessels to shrink. Sadly, still no movement in the third. It's warm to the touch, but I just don't know what's going on in there. I'll have to do a float test tomorrow. By then, hopefully, the other baby will be ready to come out. It may not be a total loss: if this one survives and it's a girl, at least Wobbles will have his playmate.  I just was hoping for a miracle that I could hatch out all three eggs. :/

I hope so much the egg gives you some good answers tomorrow when you test it.

 

[casportpony]

Quote: Sorry to leave you hanging... I had to go get a load of hay and then I had to feed the animals. Almost all sick birds will be somewhat dehydrated, so that is why I suggested the fluids first. Force feeding a dehydrated animal can kill it. As for using probios and or electrolytes, all I can say on that is that I don't use them.

-Kathy

 

[casportpony]

Quote: Did you master tubing?

-Kathy

 

[casportpony]

If you're not sure, call your vet. Only take medical advice from a licensed professional when dealing with cases this critical. If you're this worried and stressed out, call your clinic and talk to a nurse, they should be able to, at the very least, give you some advice on what to do.

We're all really gunning for the little guy!

For the most part I agree, but only if that "licensed professional" has experience in what you're trying to do. My avian vets do, of course, but my cat/dog/horse vets would be clueless regarding tubing a small one.

-Kathy

 

[Amykins]

For the most part I agree, but only if that "licensed professional" has experience in what you're trying to do. My avian vets do, of course, but my cat/dog/horse vets would be clueless regarding tubing a small one.

-Kathy

That's a given, isn't it?

 

[Amykins]

I hope so much the egg gives you some good answers tomorrow when you test it.

Me too, Julie...me too. Fingers crossed it's still alive. :/

 

[casportpony]

Quote: Curiously, have you candled it?

-Kathy

 

[casportpony]

Na I'm OK, I haven't heard from anyone so i took it apond myself to soften some food with the probotics and electrolytes held the little guy close it the dish and he very very slowly but gently placed his beak in the bowl and took a little drink. Of course he starts to sneeze like crazy but he was able to get some of it down. So we will keep this up until he gets it down. He also managed to stand pretty good after he was done..

I worry that if he aspirates food it will kill him. How is he now?

-Kathy