Duckling not walking

[Duck_Lover123]

Hey guys, I am new to Backyard Chickens and this is my first post. My problem is that my (Muscovy) duckling hatched but has not been able to walk and is sleeping (It is alive because occasionally it moves and chirps) it is currently June 6 2024 3:13pm right now and this duckling hatched today at around 6:30am to 8:30am. I was wondering if it is normal for this to happen or if there is a problem with the duckling, he is only a couple hours old and I have read that this is normal. I am still worried though, any recommendations or suggestions? Thank you. I have posted photos bellow and he moved in between pictures and is chirping, sorry for bad picture quality.

Edit: The duck is partially dried.

 

[sourland]

Hatching is hard work. Hopefully it is just resting. Mobility should increase in the next 24 hours.

 

[My15Ducks]

Hi, it is normal for them to rest, but usually they are more active than that at this point. Hopefully it will perk up over the next couple hours.

Do you have nutridrench or poultry cell? Those are good for weak babies

 

[Duck_Lover123]

Thank you, don’t have nutridrench or poultry cell. I forgot to mention that this duckling was originally shrink wrapped but thank fully (at least to me) there was no bleeding, the veins were darkish brown and thin and I did not yoink out duckling I believe that the
hold was absorbed as the duckling went out by itself. Maybe that is the problem. The duckling has sudden burst of energy but it is very little, and then he sleeps. I will wait 24 hours and keep you posted.

 

[Duck_Lover123]

Update, the problem seems to be the balance and his head seems to tilt to one side. This is called wry neck. Is this normal for recently born ducklings? Will it fix? And if it has Wry Neck do you guys know how to fix it? Maybe it’s just tired. Thank you for all the support.

 

[My15Ducks]

I would give it scrambled eggs for selenium, and also give vitamin E once it starts eating. That should help with possible wry neck

 

[Duck_Lover123]

Hey, the duckling is fully dried should I place it in the brooder and feed it or wait the 24 hours, this is my first hatch ever and I am nervous.

 

[My15Ducks]

If the brooder is warm and it won’t get trampled by it’s siblings, you can move it now. Is it still not walking? If it isn’t walking, it might be better to leave it in the incubator. But you could briefly take it out, offer it a drink of sugar water or electrolyte, and then return to the incubator

 

[Duck_Lover123]

The duckling is walking but since it was curled up for 3 days it might be a neck problem, would this heal overtime and stabilize. Also it might need assistance eating and drinking. Can you give me a recipe for sugar water and how I should feed the baby. This does not have any siblings so trampling isn’t a problem but I am afraid that it might not survive the brooder. I hope the electrolyte water works. Thank you so much. I have pictures of the brooder. It looks small but keep in mind it is only for one duckling. I know I should get another but my mom doesn’t let me. I am a kid but I signed up to see if I could get help. Thank you very much.

 

[Duck_Lover123]

The duckling seems to have the most trouble with its neck. I hope it is just from hatching and that it will cure and that it is not wry neck. Just in case I will try to feed it boiled eggs. The eyes of the duckling seem to be closed inside the incubator but when I take it outside it opens them, so does that have to do with the incubator tempature or humidity.