First time with an incubator

[Airamith]

I lost the first baby. Broke my heart. We don't know what happened. It was active and drying out, then it was dead.

We have two more in the brooder we put together and two more eggs working on hatching. One duckling looks completely normal, the other does not. They're both eating and drinking and wobbling around together.

It's little beak and face are deformed, but it doesn't seem to have any issues earing and drinking. What do you think? Do I need to do something?

 

[Airamith]

I've got a third duckling now. Its face is also like the little one above, and its feet still haven't really started straightening out yet.

The oldest one, that looks normal, has been zooming and zipping all over their brooder and having a grand old time. However since yesterday, its been flipping over on its back on a fairly regular basis and doesn't seem able to right itself. I end up helping it up a lot. Is this normal?

 

[aart]

Is this normal?

No.
The facial/head deformities could be caused by incubation temps or parents genetics.
Tho the 'normal' one looks normal it could have unseen deformities.

 

[Airamith]

I know the malformations aren't normal, but I was trying to lie to myself about the other one.

The fifth egg is starting to zip now, though the 6th hasn't pipped yet even though I can hear, see, and feel it moving around.

 

[aart]

The fifth egg is starting to zip now, though the 6th hasn't pipped yet even though I can hear, see, and feel it moving around.

Hopefully these two are healthy.
But best to be prepared.

 

[Airamith]

Number five is out! It looks normal, no visible malformations. Certainly has at least one different parent, it's almost completely black, including its beak and feet.

Six still hasn't pipped. Should I be worried? There's still movement inside the egg.

 

[Airamith]

Can I do anything to help this baby's legs? He's been out of the egg about 24 hours, but there's no improvement on his feet and legs.

 

[Airamith]

Number six is working it's way out. The last two look like that had at least one docent parent from the rest. They have black on their beaks and feet. I'm hoping this is a good sign.

The little guy in the above pictures is doing well, but no improvement on his feet or legs. He's eating and drinking and racing around in his own unique little way.

 

[Airamith]

Number 6 is fully dry and in the brooder, but can't stand up or hold its head up. I'm really worried.

 

[Airamith]

So this is what I ended up doing. It looks bright, but I've got a temp gage in there and am monitoring it. She's moving around a lot more now, which I think is good. I separated her from the others because they were chewing on her feet and walking all over her.