Duck hatching help asap!

[FenDruadin]

Leave him in. They both need the temp & humidity in the incubator right now. Don't take him out of the incubator until he is moving around normally (he will flop around a lot at first) and can easily move in and out of the heat in the brooder.

Congrats & good luck!

 

[Islandmom511]

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We have a duck! hes out! I had to move him out bc i have the chickubator and it is so small for ducks. I have him in the brooder we made on a wet paper towel and a light around 98 degrees. He is shaking a little. Is that normal or do i need to up my temp?

 

[FenDruadin]

Shivering is normal when they first come out. Measure the temp though--much lower than 98 will be too cold. He'll probably make a lot of noise if he's cold, though, so if he's quiet he's probably fine.

 

[Islandmom511]

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It's around 96 but he keeps moving away from the light

Should I move him back? I seriously can't thank you enough for answering all my newbie questions! It will be nice the 2nd time around when I'm not so nervous!

 

[FenDruadin]

How coordinated is he? When they first hatch, they are often floppy and uncoordinated, and can't really decide for themselves where they should be. If they are under a mama, she'll keep tucking them under her until they're completely dry and coordinated. If they're out of the incubator, you'll have to do her job for her and keep him warm. He really needs about 98 degrees (or up to 100) to get warm and dry at this point. Hypothermia is a very real threat when they're little and wet.

Once he's warm and dry and coordinated, he'll decide for himself where he wants to be. At that point, if he's moving away from the heat it's because he's hot.

And you're welcome.

We all were beginners at some point, and I remember how much these forums helped me.

 

[Islandmom511]

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We put a stuffed animal in there to snuggle and he seems much happier

He's sleeping and drying slowly and losing those little feathers everywhere. He's not right under the light, but he's content so I'm goign to leave him alone. He's still not very coordinated, but he can get around to where he wants to go by flopping

So tomorrow I should offer him food/water? i got the starter feed and 2 feed containers at our local feed store.
What a day it has been! #2 is still hatching and doing okay. I'm slowly chipping off pieces and wetting the membrane with a q-tip. He doesn't seem to be as strong as our first little guy. I'll post pics asap!

 

[FenDruadin]

They all come out at different strengths, so don't worry if he's not as chipper as your first. As long as he's content and not making a lot of noise, he's probably fine.

You can offer food and water as soon as he's coordinated enough not to end up flopped upside down in the water container.

Tomorrow will be just fine.

Congrats. And post pics.

 

[Islandmom511]

Our first little guy! Born with a little help, and named "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom" says my daughter

 

[AdamD77]

Aww so cute! Congratulations

Treasure these moments, three weeks ago my first hatched and now he probably couldn't even fit his head in the egg!

Good luck with the second!

 

[Miss Lydia]

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they sure grow up fast... that is precious! Congrats!!