handfeeding duckling

[Bisqit&Gravy]

Got home late today from work and number 5 ducky had hatched. It looks horrible the others had trampled it and of course ducks being so messy the little guy was covered in poo. I found it on it s back and limp. I carefully washed it off with warm warm and dried it. Its cleaner now but tiny and can somewhat stand up. It's crop is completely empty.
I have handfeed lots of birds, wild birds up to parrots and assuming handfeeding a duck would bt the same way? I thought I'd ask here to double check? Anyone know?

I am also gonna put it in with me week old bantys if they are nice to it. It's the same size as them so i hope they behave but I will watch them very close.

 

[blue fire]

I don't know hope someone else can help

 

[Bisqit&Gravy]

I actually talked to a vet I used to work for just to double check since I have never had ducks hatch here. He said go for it eventhough I'm probably wasting my time...the duckling looks horrible and less than half the size of the one that hatched yesterday. The hubby fed everyone this morning and said the tiny duck had hatched last night.

It took the hand feeding great. I also gave it a tee tiny amount of sub Q fluids b/c it's so dehydrated it's a raisin. Poor little guy even had poo crusted over it's eyes. The other ducklings stomped all over it:-( When I put it in with the banty chicks, two of them started picking on it so it's seperate but next to everyone else and has a little stuff animal to snuggle with.

I had just check on it, and we're a little perkier and not falling over nearly as bad so I'm hoping it's still alive in the morning.

 

[LV426]

I just had one hatch that was a compost incubated egg and I was worried about him too. No one stomped him but he is really small, head is the size of a dime. It took him a day and a half to get upright and walking and eating on his own. Just keep him warm and show him food and water and don't let anyone trample him and he might pull through. My little one is a racing duck now and follows me everywhere.

 

[Bisqit&Gravy]

That's good news to hear that your little one is doing good.

I got this little guy seperate, nice and warm so I hope he makes it. He even got the special treatment....nice soft towel that I rolled around the edges as bumper padding b/c the little guy was falling and tumbling.
Atleast I get off at 1 tomorrow so I can come home and check on him. Have a feeling he's splayed legged but will know better tomorrow if he's perked up alot. I've had that problem in lovebirds before. I hate that I didn't get to come home for lunch and save him from get stomped:-( He's still got crusty poo on top of his head that I couldn't get off.

 

[kellim]

Aw, poor little thing. Here's hoping the little one pulls through.

 

[Calebs Acre]

I've had one go each way...one duck was smaller and weak on his feet and I did the whole special treatment and he didn't make it and then I had one who did make it. Gosh, I hope you're on the lucky side of the draw.

I put mine in with a small stuffed animal and they snuggled up to it. If it makes you feel better, the surviving duck actually took the hand feeding much better and was more interested in the stuffed animal, so I think you're on the right path.

Gonna send up some special prayers for this little soul!

 

[Bisqit&Gravy]

The little guy is all over the place today Can't even tell he or she looked horrible yesterday. Both legs are positioned where they're suppose to be and he's gobbling food down.

I had all 5 ducklings in the middle bedroom in my house.....whew the stink in there even with a hepa filter. I thought it was bad when I just had my 1st two a year ago...hahaha
When I got home I put the little one in the playpen to clean and stuck the other 4 in to see how they would act. With it not falling over, they were all fine. As I got almost done they were all snuggled up together. It is half the size of the others but I'm trying them together. The little one was very happy to see the others.
I also moved them to the garage to a big long rabbit cage that has a plastic tray instead on the wire bottom. There's alot more room for 5 duckies to act crazy. Gave them food and everyone ate even the tiny one It's funny when I went back out to check, all I could see was some little yellow heads trying to look over the edge.

I think the problem was after it hatched and was resting they stomped it and it just needed some recovery time away from them to rest and build up energy.

 

[Calebs Acre]

This is such great news!!! Go little duckie, GO!

 

[kodiakchicken]

So glad to hear your little baby is doing well. I read through your posts and before the last one decided if he made it you should name him "Crusty" for all the crusty poo he endured!