Help? Day 29 Waiting for hatch signs on 8 Pekin duck eggs

[dntkriner]

Well, there are three in the brooder now. One isn't doing very well. His yolk hasn't fully absorbed. I'm doing all I can to keep it from drying out. He's pretty floppy and I kept him in a towel as long as he'd let me, so it had time to absorb. I'm honestly not sure he's going to pull through. I guess time will tell. I have another one in half his shell, yolk not absorbed in the incubator. And there are three eggs still in the incubator, two of which have externally pipped in the last 12-24 hours.

 

[chickens really]

That needs to dry out...The umbilical area needs to dry...They will sleep during this faze and once it's over they liven up....

 

[dntkriner]

Two of my new hatchling's are shedding? It is the two that have some yolk not fully absorbed. Should I be concerned?

 

[WVduckchick]

Shedding as in lots of fluff coming off? That's normal.

how are the bellies looking now?

 

[dntkriner]

I didnt notice our first hatchling doing this, but my daughter said the 1st guy did this too. I think they look bad, but I really know nothing. Do I need to be concerned? The guy with the very dark one seems so weak. He has not figured out the eating & drinking thing quite yet. We had to separate him after another duckling pecked that area and it oozed yellow. It stopped after I touched a qtip to it and no blood appeared. Are we doing all the right things?

 

[dntkriner]

Here are a few pics.

 

[WVduckchick]

Looks to me like its healing ok, it will take a day or two, or three. A little Neosporin could be put on it, but not really necessary, unless you think it might look infected. The scab will dry up eventually.

Ravyn will be a better judge than me, if it might look infected or anything bad. Watch for a white-ish looking ring to develop outward from it, that could indicate a problem. I think.

Hang in there. They sometimes take a little extra time getting up and running.

 

[Ravynscroft]

If it still has a bit of yolk to absorb, it usually won't be too interested in food...but if you have some Nutridrench, you can give it a drop or 2 on the bill and see if that helps, give a drop of plain water after to wash it down...

Watch for belly bloating, dark discoloration of the belly around the spot and watch the toes... if it starts going downhill, the toes will get skinnier, joints will show more, and skin will wrinkle up on them...

 

[dntkriner]

I am so grateful to both of you for helping me through this! I'm not sure I would have these precious little ducklings if it weren't for all the guidance you have given. I'd hug you both if I could!
I will keep you posted. I still have two that have pippedin the incubator and I'm hoping they can do this on their own.

 

[dntkriner]

I do not have any Nutridench, only electrolyte. I can go get some today if it will help him.