Duckling head deformity

[TheSmallestEgg]

hello. This is my last little Moscovy baby. It was struggling for over 24 hours since it started to unzip. We finally broke away a little of the shell but then this guy popped out looking like this.that bump is on his head. It almost looks like a long blood blister. He hasn’t unbent himself really. He rolled on his back a lot. Anyone see anything like this? I know the photo isn’t super clear but, he’s still in the incubator. It seems like he’s resting now.

Any tips or personal experiences are welcome here. I’m pretty new to duck hatching and the rest of my ducks all hatched right on time and are doing fantastic. I wonder what happened here.

 

[TheSmallestEgg]

Poor thing. Muscovies are harder to hatch.
Do you have pucs of your other hatchlings?

Yup! Here they are.

I included some of my khaki Campbell’s in there, they did great too! There’s 6 Moscovys counting my little unlucky guy, and four khaki Campbells.

 

[Smuvers Farm]

View attachment 1452284

He’s doing amazing! That head has like a blood scab sort of thing, where the wound had closed over. His friends are used to him now, so they’ve Lordy him along for the most part. Here’s a daily picture of some of the friends. This is Quackers.

I've heard duckies take to Playstation easier than Xbox... but DEFINITELY keep them away from the retro games, like Duck Hunt!!

 

[CayugaJana]

The skull not forming is definitely a genetic issue, with a slight chance of the egg not having the correct vitamins to properly form their neural tube. Poor guy. I hate to see that.

 

[TheSmallestEgg]

Hello again backyard friends. I know we’re experiencing some bad gateway errors right now, but to lighten the mood ( and hopefully it posts) here’s the little guys today. The ones of front—so chubby. There’s little Grape in the back

 

[TheSmallestEgg]

They lasted less than 48 hours.
You had a good hatch though. Good job! The more hatches you do, you are bound to see strange things. Not every chick will be perfect. Such is life. Cute babies you have there.

Thank you! He’s fluffed up and the bump looks smaller now, he’s also unfolded and is standing up. I think I have to keep him separately though while he’s still alive, I’m worried the others will pick on him. Poor little guy.

 

[TheSmallestEgg]

My friends are trying out the bathtub

 

[TheSmallestEgg]

How’s that little head looking today?

I’m unnaturally attached to Grape.

He’s doing amazing! That head has like a blood scab sort of thing, where the wound had closed over. His friends are used to him now, so they’ve Lordy him along for the most part. Here’s a daily picture of some of the friends. This is Quackers.

 

[TheSmallestEgg]

They aren’t being mean to him at all. But he’s very loud and sounds scared. I laid on the bed and that seemed to calm him down. He’s really fast, really jumpy and skittish, unlike the others.

 

[Sarkchick]

Even if the skull does not close the skin or scar tissue should. At least it would give him a good chance of surviving and a semi normal life. He may always be a special needs ling.
He will need a life long buddy if he is sight impaired.
You really have done an amazing job getting this little guy this far