Duckling stuck on side after hatching

[RafterB_ranch]

My very first call duck hatch is complete. 7 out of 9 developed eggs hatched (2 malpositioned were not caught in time).

wanted to share the experience of my last two ducks to hatch in case anyone else has the same thing happen.
both were incubated at a cooler temp with extra humidity, I did not realize this until too late (use multiple thermometers people). So when both hatched 3 days overdue, they could not stand up and only could lay on their sides and paddle their feet out behind them. This was definitely not the same way that the other 5 healthy ducks moved when first hatched.

My husband started researching humane ways to euthanize just in case, I started researching how to help cold hatched ducks that couldn’t stay on their bellies.

Cue the duck-in-a-mug method.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...stand-keeps-flipping-over-need-advice.409555/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/newly-hatched-chick-staying-on-its-back.265305/page-2

I put both ducks in regular size coffee mugs with paper towel at the bottom and left in the brooder for 5 hours (overnight). I made sure they were in an upright position with both legs underneath them, with room to lay their heads to sleep. I also made sure they were positioned in the brooder that the heat lamp would not cook them. Leaving them out there alone was likely not the best solution but it’s what I was physically and mentally capable of doing at the time.
when I checked at 5:30 am the next morning, two beautiful faces were looking at me hopeful that mug time was over.
the one duck was able to stay on its belly and make small steps at that point so it got to come out and join the other ducklings, the other duck (a malpositioned assisted hatch) was still sticking its left leg out behind so went back in the mug for another hour.

in addition to the mug, I made an electrolyte/vitamin mix and mashed with a bit of food and made sure they ate before going into the mugs overnight, as well as every hour for the first 6 hours after coming out of the mugs. Both ducklings were placed in the mugs between 3-6 hours after hatching. I know this is very early, however it was approximately midnight and I could tell they would not make it if left in the incubator on their sides.

It’s about 35 hours later now and they’re running and jumping around. Feeding and drinking for themselves, and fully able to right themselves if tipped onto their side by another duckling. Time will tell if they have more wobbles than the others as adults, but I am so thankful to have found that advice. I do not doubt they would not have made it if not for spending the night in a mug.

takeaway: hatch your ducks at the right temperature. If it’s too late to solve a temperature issues during your ducklings are unable to right themselves, consider the duck-in-a-mug method.
Ideally the ducks could stay in the incubator in the mugs, however mine was too short to accommodate a mug. I would suggest more supervision than what I was able to provide in the brooder, especially if you have more babies already running around.



cheers to our babies!
Forest is the malpositioned duckling, position approximately 5 hours after hatching shown as head tucked into wing and feet directly behind. And Oogway is the blue-bibbed baby that was the last to hatch!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Beautiful babies! Thanks for sharing.

 

[CTBirdGirl]

Thank you very much for this great thread. I had 3 call duck eggs - all were under broody hens until the last 3 days when I brought them into a ready incubator. 1 pipped, hatched & did beautifully. The other 2 pipped on the wrong end and made no progress after 48 hours. I helped both - one was too weak after fighting in the shell for so long and died shortly after hatch (I should note yolk was fully absorbed and this was 3 days after the correctly pipped duckling had hatched on its own). The other duckling seems strong & healthy in all ways - fluffed up, peeping, scratching its head with its foot, even preening.....but doing all those things on its side. It doesn’t seem to be able to stand, or keep its head up. No physical deformities that I can see but it’s been 18 hours with no improvement and I was at a loss until I saw your post. I have him/her setup in a child’s mug to allow it to stay in the incubator and have my fingers crossed that it will gain strength and neck/head control. My only thought is that it was jammed in the little end of the egg for so long that some nerve damage occurred......?

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Thank you very much for this great thread. I had 3 call duck eggs - all were under broody hens until the last 3 days when I brought them into a ready incubator. 1 pipped, hatched & did beautifully. The other 2 pipped on the wrong end and made no progress after 48 hours. I helped both - one was too weak after fighting in the shell for so long and died shortly after hatch (I should note yolk was fully absorbed and this was 3 days after the correctly pipped duckling had hatched on its own). The other duckling seems strong & healthy in all ways - fluffed up, peeping, scratching its head with its foot, even preening.....but doing all those things on its side. It doesn’t seem to be able to stand, or keep its head up. No physical deformities that I can see but it’s been 18 hours with no improvement and I was at a loss until I saw your post. I have him/her setup in a child’s mug to allow it to stay in the incubator and have my fingers crossed that it will gain strength and neck/head control. My only thought is that it was jammed in the little end of the egg for so long that some nerve damage occurred......?

It's not that uncommon for assisted hatches to need extra assistance for the first few days after hatching. .25 cc of Poultry Cell via. syringe for the first few days has always been my go to and always done the trick.

 

[CTBirdGirl]

I’m reassured to hear that....I’ve never had to assist a hatch before and I do feel badly that the other ducking likely would have made it if I’d intervened earlier but I have always heard it’s best not to. I’m wondering if my hens did a poor job of brooding them as 2 of the 3 pipped on the wrong end....

 

[Miss Lydia]

Just be sure if you give liquids via syringe that you don't get in down the wrong hatch and cause it to go into the lungs. That can cause pnuemonia. It's best to dribble along the bill or tiny drops one at a time and make sure they swallow before next one.

 

[RafterB_ranch]

How did your mug duck do today?

I’m reassured to hear that....I’ve never had to assist a hatch before and I do feel badly that the other ducking likely would have made it if I’d intervened earlier but I have always heard it’s best not to. I’m wondering if my hens did a poor job of brooding them as 2 of the 3 pipped on the wrong end....

 

[CTBirdGirl]

The mug trick worked! In about 3 hours the duckling was able to sit with its legs under her rather than flopped over on its side. And about 2 hours later it took its first tentative, wobbly steps. This morning I couldn’t tell her apart from her sister/brother who hatched without issues. Thank you to everyone for the wonderful advice & encouragement!