Duckling can't open shell after zipping? Maybe?

[Rock Wyandotte]

It all seems to 'come out in the wash'. I helped a gosling who had pipped upside down into the bottom of the incubator and then she couldn't get out and her egg dried up - she was trapped. She turned out great and is a big, fat, happy goose. Last week I helped a chick out and it turned out to be deformed - had to cull it a day or so later. Personally, I'd rather help them hatch and cull later if need be. I think you did the right thing.

 

[19hhbelgian]

Hi
I actually just had a duckling hatch that had the same probllem. I helped him out, and he couldn't get his legs/feet to work properly. He also had poor control of his head. I thought for sure DH was going to have to take care of the poor little guy. I gave him time though. I held him so he could eat & drink. I also gave him a drop of vitamins in the morning and at night. Slowly he actually got better but it took a few days, and me helping him eat/drink. He is named Wobble, and his sister/brother is Weeble

they are both out in the brooder with some chicks, and Wobble is thriving! His toes are still a little curled on one foot, but it does not inhibit him at all. I'm SO extremely glad I gave him time to try and get better! Both ducklings would sit with us and watch tv all snuggled up in my Terry cloth robe while Wobble was getting stronger. If you can help your duckling for a few days maybe he'd get better too... I wouldn't have left Wobble suffer - he was visibly a happy little guy not in distress. Good luck with your baby!

 

[FenDruadin]

Thank you SO much for that, both of you. I especially appreciate the success story.

I *think* little Bandy Leg is doing better, marginally--he isn't flopping over on his back constantly any more. Still sticking legs out behind him most of the time, and not able to get where he wants, but I am hopeful.

I think I will boil some egg and offer him crushed egg yolk along with food. He is less than 12 hours old, so he is not seriously hungry yet. But some egg yolk and water might do him good.

Thank you thank you!!

 

[mandelyn]

Oh I hope he/she makes it! I hatched some ducklings a few years ago, and one got stuck. I waited and waited, finally had to help her out. She had been stuck for so long that her butt took the shape of the egg, and swung off to the left side. It stayed that way forever, so her name became CB for "crooked butt".

She flopped around in the 'bator for about 8 hours before I felt comfortable moving her to the brooder.

That hatch 5 of 11 eggs hatched (ill gotten eggs from a cemetary flock of easter chick drop-offs... non-setting Pekins, I went every day to look for eggs just sitting on the ground!) and EVERY one of them turned out female.

So then I saw an add on CL for a free male duck who thought he was a poodle. Had been raised with dogs! I took CB with to keep him company.. he'd have none of it! So I put him in the travel crate and CB rode with me, sitting on the passenger seat with her head draped over my arm. She turned out to be the best pet duck EVER.

I hope your's makes it through alright! But you can't wait too long, I'd give it a week tops. CB only took a day to act 100% normal besides her crooked toosh.

 

[Katy]

Quote:
I'm sorry to hear about your duckling.

I'd say the odds are it's the reason he couldn't get out rather than being that way because of being in the shell.

I don't know what his odds are...only time will tell.

 

[FenDruadin]

It's now using one leg to push itself more or less successfully around the incubator. This is an improvement! I have hope!

I've marked the duckling with a zip tie to avoid breeding it. I want to use a webbing punch or other permanent method to mark it, once it's stronger. Does anyone here do that, and how?

 

[froggie71]

I'm gonna say it was probably something that happened in the egg as well as why it had trouble hatching. Survival of the fittest and all. But, you did give this little guy a chance. Could be a good name if he ends up doing well "Chance". How is he this morning?
Oh, and I can't help you with marking, I've never done it.

 

[FenDruadin]

Good morning.

I have nine ducks in the brooder, and Chance (I like it!) is still crippled. He's gotten VERY good at scooting around the brooder on one leg, the other sticking out behind him. He'll use the crippled leg if he gets stuck, but can't seem to get it up under him. He is so cheerful, it breaks my heart.

Is there still a chance that leg will eventually come up under him? He doesn't seem in distress, and he gets around really well. I set my alarm clock to go off every two hours last night so I could make sure he hadn't gotten trapped somewhere, but it wasn't necessary--he gets up and eats & drinks with the others, and sleeps with them too.

 

[froggie71]

you might want to try giving him some poly-vi-sol without iron and possibly if the leg doesn't start straightening out, think about making him a splint. Still waiting for pics.

 

[FenDruadin]

Thank you! Where do I get poly-vi-sol? I just made a Tractor Supply run yesterday--darn it--it's about 25 minutes from here. Anywhere else I can get it?

His leg is straight--that's actually the problem. He doesn't bend it much. Can I "splint" it by tucking it under him and tying it up, to get it to stay? Would that help him?

My 8-year-old takes him out regularly and holds him so that his leg is in place. I hope that is helping too.

Thank you for your support. I know everyone's waiting for pictures. I just took the rest of my hatch out of the incubator and I'll get pictures in a bit. I haven't even begun my morning chores yet, though, and there are critters outdoors waiting for their breakfasts and critters indoors waiting for their breakfasts, so I'd better do that first.

Thank you!