Duckling won't dry off

[JillZaHulk]

So our last one to hatch 10 out of 13 to survive hatching. We had one who was a pretty bloody hatch, got almost all the way out of its shell before it died, then we noticed even if it made it out it wouldn't have survived because certain parts had formed outside of it's body. This last one to hatch was bloody as well but it survived the hatch and organs appear to be in the right place. Except this duckling is smaller than the others were and one of is legs are messed up somehow, it can't seem to use it well or control it much so it can't walk but scoots around in the incubator, and it won't dry off. The other that hatched at the same time has been fluffy dry since yesterday early afternoon. I don't want to separate it from it's hatch buddy because it needs a friend and I don't want to introduce it to the others because ducks can be mean to those who are different. What should I do with this little guy? Does anyone know why a duckling won't dry? It also took a while to open it's eyes and mouth after hatching... Maybe it just needs more time to develope before it'll be ready...?... Help

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

@WVduckchick may be able to help, she has hatched countless little duckies.

 

[Miss Lydia]

@WVduckchick

 

[HuffleClaw]

Humidity or something is probably high. Take them out and put them into a warm brooder. That should help them dry.

 

[Miss Lydia]

You might want to make some kind of partician in the brooder to give this little one time to dray and not get trampled. Maybe some kind of screen or left over fencing. So they can see each other but the one that needs to fluff will be safe.

 

[WVduckchick]

I've also used a basket to put "slow" ones in. Just be sure its got room to get itself close to the heat, but also away from the heat, on its own.

You could also empty any water out of the incubator, dry it out, and put the loner in there for a little while longer. It will get over the separation anxiety very quickly. Better for it to whine on its own for a little while, than to be bullied by the others.

 

[DuckyDonna]

You might want to make some kind of partician in the brooder to give this little one time to dray and not get trampled. Maybe some kind of screen or left over fencing. So they can see each other but the one that needs to fluff will be safe.

yes, I agree. I had to do that briefly with my last hatch and it works out just fine. Sometimes the little ones just need a bit more "alone" time to get their legs under them and rest a bit. I just used a small piece of cardboard and taped it to the tub they were in.

 

[JillZaHulk]

My cousin in law raises chickens and called it "splayed leg". She suggested a small hair tie with a knot to hook around the legs to keep them together. 24-48hrs should correct the leg thing...

I have it a warm sponge bath in case it's something remaining from the egg causing it to have trouble drying. It's now in a basket in the brooder while the incubator dries after cleaning.

 

[chickens really]

Absorbing the yolk from the belly so don't be concerned until well over 48 hours after hatch. Don't force feed either.

 

[Miss Lydia]

My ducklings that hatched this past summer we’re up eating an drinking 24 hrs after they hatched and they did it on their own. If your duckling is alert with its head up you could try offering warm water first, warm water is better keeps their little system from going into shock. Usually if they have splayed legs it only takes a day or 2 to correct. Please keep us updated! Congrats on your hatch!