Egg too small, duckling pipped, struggling to breathe, no noise, day 28 - pic attached

[HostileMatron]

They had fun exploring the new digs and are ready for a nap

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

How's the little one doing? I'm hoping it's going well

Now that I know how many I'll have (9), I've been working on a new playpen for the ducklings. It's not complete, but it's complete enough for them to have some fun in it. The final dimensions are 6'x30" (inside).

There's 3 bins at the end. One stays put. The others are to feed them and a pool. I can take them out for easy cleaning which is the best part Not that ducks are messy or anything . Oh, and the orange tray is for treats. I crushed done meal worms do the have something to do. For 30 seconds.

View attachment 3055045View attachment 3055046

Great job !! They will love it
My little one is doing okay. Still needing help but each day he gets a little better.
He has decided to under water dive but he can’t preen himself yet he tries but his neck doesn’t reach to his oil gland so I gently used my finger to rib a few times like he would abs rubbed his back. It seemed to have worked as he stayed dry the next time. First time he was soaking wet
He stand at his dishes for the most part but still falls sometimes so not ready to leave him in the pen yet. He sleeps in a little tub with his favourite blanket that he snuggles and hides under.

 

[HostileMatron]

Hope everyone is happy and healthy. Just thought I'd send an update. I spent mother's day in the yard converting an old canoe into a swimming pool for the ducklings. They loved it! Tomorrow I'm going to put some minnows in the boat for them to chase around

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

Hope everyone is happy and healthy. Just thought I'd send an update. I spent mother's day in the yard converting an old canoe into a swimming pool for the ducklings. They loved it! Tomorrow I'm going to put some minnows in the boat for them to chase around View attachment 3098638

I do minnows too
My ducks love it
Very cool swimming area

 

[HostileMatron]

I do minnows too
My ducks love it
Very cool swimming area

How are your little ones doing? Did the duckling with the crook neck straighten out? I've been wondering about her

I've decided to call them all "her" until I see a green head

 

[HostileMatron]

I've been using goldfish but the people at the fish store aren't always happy about what I do with them so I'm switching to minnows. Lol

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

How are your little ones doing? Did the duckling with the crook neck straighten out? I've been wondering about her

I've decided to call them all "her" until I see a green head

I’m lucky and my babies are able to be sex linked at birth so I Know he was a boy
At just short of 4 weeks I had to make a tough choice and have him put down
It sill makes me tear up talking about him
I did get his back bone to straighten to his neck and his crop to go from the side to centre with treatments from my back / neck guy. But unfortunately his neck bone itself had a sideways v in it causing ti be unable to get balance
He still couldn’t swim , stand , walk , preen eat or drink on his own.
He was living in a crate or on my lap 24/7 as he needed to be beside me at all times.
He was full of energy and tried so hard to get better but his neck bone was never going to go straight he was developed that way unfortunately

 

[NatJ]

At just short of 4 weeks I had to make a tough choice and have him put down

From what you describe I think you made the right choice, but in this case the "right choice" was a sad one

 

[HostileMatron]

Aww. Poor little guy. Doing the right thing isn't easy and sometimes adulting is no fun.

You are a good egg, and the ducks in your life are lucky to have you

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

From what you describe I think you made the right choice, but in this case the "right choice" was a sad one

I did everything I possibly could to try and save him
He was my little sidekick and
Definitely won my heart over
I had vet bills at 700.00 and had every vitamin going in him daily
I don’t regret trying as I got to spend a month with a very special little one
After watching my new little ones do what ducklings do I know I made the right choice for him
It only would have got worse as he got bigger