Hatchling not eating

[CarminsCluckers]

I helped a duck hatch from its shell. Ive had it in my home for 24 hours now. I have to force feed him after trying to get him to eat starter crumble. It’s just not catching on to food or how to eat. What should I do?

 

[HollowOfWisps]

I helped a duck hatch from its shell. Ive had it in my home for 24 hours now. I have to force feed him after trying to get him to eat starter crumble. It’s just not catching on to food or how to eat. What should I do?

Is the yolk sac fully absorbed on its belly button? If so how long ago did is disappear/absorb? Do not force feed it. When ducklings hatch it can take 24-48 hours for it to eat only after the yolk sac has fully asborbed. Until then it lives off of the absorbed yolk.

 

[KathiQuacks]

Yes, don’t force feed the poor guy. You can crush up some of the feed, wet it, and offer it up on your finger. That, or drop some pieces into their water dish. If they’re not interested, give it some time. They don’t need to eat right away

 

[CarminsCluckers]

I don’t remember seeing any yolk in the shell. If there was it was a super small amount mixed with a very small amount of blood. She is stating to eat on her own and is now strong enough to follow me around everywhere. I’m still concerned that she is not eating enough. I ground up duck start feed and mixed water with it. She stuck her beak in it a few times last night and this morning but couldn’t tell if she was actually eating enough. She is poopy and her waste looks really good. Solid with a small white cap. About 1o'clock today will be 72 hours. Is there anything else I should do to ensure she thrives?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Is the duckling starting to drink? You can add poultry cell to her drinking water to help give her a boost.

 

[CarminsCluckers]

Is the duckling starting to drink? You can add poultry cell to her drinking water to help give her a boost.

She’s not really drinking plain water. So I mix a good amount of water with her food where the mixture is more like a very runny oatmeal. She’s eating a lot now on her own. I keep a dish with water next to her food dish in hopes that she will drink. If she doesn’t then I have water handy to add to her food dish to ensure she’s getting water. I have put her in warm water in bathroom sink to let her swim around and play and to hopefully drink. She dips her head in the water a bunch and then shakes her head and then does a whole body shake and feather/ wing stretch. I don’t know how to get her to drink water by itself. Doesn’t have any interest

 

[SwampPrincessChick]

I know it can take chicks days to eat and newly-hatched birds overall live off their absorbed yolk, so I am assuming it is the same for ducks. In that case, do not force feed or force water. Wait and see what will happen. The duckling might be a weak one.

 

[CarminsCluckers]

She drank water!!! Hallelujah . Put a fresh dish of warm water next to her food bowl and she went right up to it and drank twice out of it. I couldn’t be happier!!! Now a couple more days for the mornings to be a little warmer and then off with her flock she goes.

 

[KathiQuacks]

She drank water!!! Hallelujah . Put a fresh dish of warm water next to her food bowl and she went right up to it and drank twice out of it. I couldn’t be happier!!! Now a couple more days for the mornings to be a little warmer and then off with her flock she goes. View attachment 3859925View attachment 3859925

Make sure she gets accepted by the flock.. I’m assuming other ducklings??