duckling with curled foot

[Murdock624]

Hi, I had a question about our little duckling. I was testing out a new incubator with 3 duck eggs. Only 1 developed and pipped on Sun (March 5th). Yesterday (the 8th), it still hadn't made any progress so I assumed it had died. But, when I picked up the egg, it started chirping and trying to get out. So, I helped it. It still had a very difficult time hatching even with assistance. I think it was just in a bad position and couldn't hatch. I left it in the incubator overnight and moved it to the brooder this morning. One of it's feet is curled and it keeps turning in circles and now it's started flipping over on it's back. I know I can make a little boot for it's foot, but does anyone have directions on how to do it? Is there anything I can do to keep it from flipping over? I'm also a little concerned about it's eyes. It looks like it has cataracts. Could it be blind? I did get a couple more ducklings this morning so it would have company. If anyone has any advice, I would appreciate it.

 

[Purelychicks]

Hi, I had a question about our little duckling. I was testing out a new incubator with 3 duck eggs. Only 1 developed and pipped on Sun (March 5th). Yesterday (the 8th), it still hadn't made any progress so I assumed it had died. But, when I picked up the egg, it started chirping and trying to get out. So, I helped it. It still had a very difficult time hatching even with assistance. I think it was just in a bad position and couldn't hatch. I left it in the incubator overnight and moved it to the brooder this morning. One of it's feet is curled and it keeps turning in circles and now it's started flipping over on it's back. I know I can make a little boot for it's foot, but does anyone have directions on how to do it? Is there anything I can do to keep it from flipping over? I'm also a little concerned about it's eyes. It looks like it has cataracts. Could it be blind? I did get a couple more ducklings this morning so it would have company. If anyone has any advice, I would appreciate it.

Can you get some pictures, please.

 

[Murdock624]

Both eyes look like this. I've been getting it to get and drink, but it can't get around on it's own right now. It has perked up though.

 

[Miss Lydia]

What a sweetie. Do you have any poultry cell? I'd get the boots made asap to keep the feet and toes flat in normal position. You can make a donut out of a small towel and place the ducklings down into it to keep it from flipping then put food and water close so it can drink and eat when ready. When they have had help hatching it takes them longer to get their feet under them @HollowOfWisps. I'm not sure about the eyes was there any goo from the egg on this duckling's face and maybe this is left over? For the shoe cut a piece of plastic from a cool whip container or something similar wrap in vet wrap to cover edges place the feet on top then use vet wrap going up and around the ankle to keep it in place just make sure it's snug but not cutting off circulation.
another way to fix curled toes
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...s-with-tape-picture-tutorial-and-video.75247/

 

[HollowOfWisps]

@Miss Lydia has pretty much covered everything I would suggested. For the eyes if you have terramacyin I would rub some of that on it. Sometimes the membrane gets stuck on and almost becomes one with the eye. If after a few days it does not improve it may indeed have cataracts.

 

[Murdock624]

What a sweetie. Do you have any poultry cell? I'd get the boots made asap to keep the feet and toes flat in normal position. You can make a donut out of a small towel and place the ducklings down into it to keep it from flipping then put food and water close so it can drink and eat when ready. When they have had help hatching it takes them longer to get their feet under them @HollowOfWisps. I'm not sure about the eyes was there any goo from the egg on this duckling's face and maybe this is left over? For the shoe cut a piece of plastic from a cool whip container or something similar wrap in vet wrap to cover edges place the feet on top then use vet wrap going up and around the ankle to keep it in place just make sure it's snug but not cutting off circulation.
another way to fix curled toes
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...s-with-tape-picture-tutorial-and-video.75247/

No, I don't have any poultry cell. Although, I can get some this afternoon. I do have an electrolyte/vitamin powder from McMurray Hatchery that I've been putting in its water. It hasn't flipped over anymore since I first posted but still has a hard time getting around. I did make some little shoes for it. I used index cards and painter's tape. Is that ok or should I redo it?

I do have some teramycin so I'll use some on it's eyes. Thank you so much!

 

[Miss Lydia]

@Miss Lydia has pretty much covered everything I would suggested. For the eyes if you have terramacyin I would rub some of that on it. Sometimes the membrane gets stuck on and almost becomes one with the eye. If after a few days it does not improve it may indeed have cataracts.

Since you have rec poultry cell I was hoping you’d give a review of what you’ve used it for. I just got mine in the mail today.

 

[Miss Lydia]

No, I don't have any poultry cell. Although, I can get some this afternoon. I do have an electrolyte/vitamin powder from McMurray Hatchery that I've been putting in its water. It hasn't flipped over anymore since I first posted but still has a hard time getting around. I did make some little shoes for it. I used index cards and painter's tape. Is that ok or should I redo it?
View attachment 3426563
I do have some teramycin so I'll use some on it's eyes. Thank you so much!

Those shoes should def help hopefully in a few days the little feet will be fine. Sure is good to hear it’s not flipping over now.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Since you have rec poultry cell I was hoping you’d give a review of what you’ve used it for. I just got mine in the mail today.

Oh yeah I can definitely do that!

 

[HollowOfWisps]

For the Poultry Cell, I have used it with great success on ducklings that are assisted hatches, deficiencies or trouble walking. I have seen ducklings go from flopping, stumbling and unable to walk to showing improvement within hours after a dose and running around with the others by the end of the week (sometimes just a few days). I had a case of curled toe and used poultry cell along with a boot. She was able to walk in no time. When she was an adult you would have never known.