HELP! Duckling hatched with twisted leg!!

[DuckyDonna]

Aw I’m so glad I found this. I had an issue with two chicks with bad legs but had no transition brooder and the other chicks attacked it. Now I feel sick thinking maybe we didn’t do enough but we had to call it at the time. I will be leaving the inserts in my incubator so each chick has its own limited space as last time I took them out and they were walloping about all over the place and knocking the other eggs which never made it. I think the ones who’s legs didn’t work maybe had too much room as they were hatched much later. Oh I was told at the time you just have to make your choice and life with it. Going to go cuddle my healthy chicks and feel better. So happy for your wee guy. I may need you all weekend as hatch day starts in a week!! Feel so much more prepared for it after following along with you and all the advice

I just used 2 totes for brooders when I had a real staggared hatch. I found the "older" ones would pick on the newly hatched ones so I just separated them. I put a mirror in the neonatal one and they were fine. Easy peasy!

 

[ScottyGill]

I just used 2 totes for brooders when I had a real staggared hatch. I found the "older" ones would pick on the newly hatched ones so I just separated them. I put a mirror in the neonatal one and they were fine. Easy peasy!

Not sure what you mean but I have a Brinsea brooding plate. I tried putting a baby in a tub and the first day it fought them off but by the second day they had shoved it out. What’s the mirror for. So it doesn’t feel lonely

 

[Miss Lydia]

Yes so they have company even if it's themselves. Mine loved their mirror.

 

[ScottyGill]

Yes so they have company even if it's themselves. Mine loved their mirror.

Ok so if worse comes to worse I have a Brinsea 600 brooder plate. If one needed TLC could I put it in a little box with a divider somehow. I'm just trying to work out how I could do it. I like to have a plan!!

 

[DuckyDonna]

Not sure what you mean but I have a Brinsea brooding plate. I tried putting a baby in a tub and the first day it fought them off but by the second day they had shoved it out. What’s the mirror for. So it doesn’t feel lonely

Ok, I'm sorry I didn't realize you were in another country. By totes I mean I have 2 clear plastic boxes that usually come with tops. Something you'd store Christmas decorations in. I have one set up for putting the babies in just after they hatch from the incubator and I leave them in there for a day or so, then, if I have more babies hatch long after I realized those ducks won't be nice to the tiny babies so I have another tote just like the other one set up to accommodate them. I hope you know what I'm talking about but if you don't I can send a picture!

 

[happyhatcher1981]

Ok, I'm sorry I didn't realize you were in another country. By totes I mean I have 2 clear plastic boxes that usually come with tops. Something you'd store Christmas decorations in. I have one set up for putting the babies in just after they hatch from the incubator and I leave them in there for a day or so, then, if I have more babies hatch long after I realized those ducks won't be nice to the tiny babies so I have another tote just like the other one set up to accommodate them. I hope you know what I'm talking about but if you don't I can send a picture!

Same here. If i wouldn't have had that set up ny other duckling that was 3 days older may have seriously caused even more harm to my Cayuga with the twisted leg. Also @ScottyGill , you did all you could with what you know and so don't beat yourself up. This was my first ever hatch and these wonderful people in this community have been the absolute best. We learn and get better for our future babies sakes right? We are here for you and keep us posted on your hatch!!

 

[happyhatcher1981]

Aw I’m so glad I found this. I had an issue with two chicks with bad legs but had no transition brooder and the other chicks attacked it. Now I feel sick thinking maybe we didn’t do enough but we had to call it at the time. I will be leaving the inserts in my incubator so each chick has its own limited space as last time I took them out and they were walloping about all over the place and knocking the other eggs which never made it. I think the ones who’s legs didn’t work maybe had too much room as they were hatched much later. Oh I was told at the time you just have to make your choice and life with it. Going to go cuddle my healthy chicks and feel better. So happy for your wee guy. I may need you all weekend as hatch day starts in a week!! Feel so much more prepared for it after following along with you and all the advice

So sorry about your little ones. You can only do what you know to do and its hard to know everything since each hatch i can imagine, can presents its own unique challenges. So glad you found this helpful as you all have been helpful to me. Please keep us posted with your upcoming hatch !!

 

[ScottyGill]

Same here. If i wouldn't have had that set up ny other duckling that was 3 days older may have seriously caused even more harm to my Cayuga with the twisted leg. Also @ScottyGill , you did all you could with what you know and so don't beat yourself up. This was my first ever hatch and these wonderful people in this community have been the absolute best. We learn and get better for our future babies sakes right? We are here for you and keep us posted on your hatch!!

Ok in this case then we set up in a tote. Did you have a warmer in each box.

 

[happyhatcher1981]

Ok in this case then we set up in a tote. Did you have a warmer in each box.

I have a plug in heating pad on low setting and wrapped in a pillow case. I also had paper towels down on one side along with little saucers of wet, crushed, starter crumble with brewers yeast mixed in ( they both came out hungry after a few hours) and water. Chicks are smaller so i am unsure if you need to put marbles at the bottom of it so it can have something to push off of to avoid drowning. I also put a little soft crochet duck in there they both ended up snuggling with on the warmer. My tote had an attached top and the ducklings were curious and wanting to hop out after a few hours so i had to shut it but folded a rag to keep it propped open enough for air and closed enough they couldn't jump out. I also had this setup next to my bed on my wall dresser. Kind of like when i had my babies i kept them in a bassinet next to me..lol..hope this helps or gives you some ideas to springboard off of.

 

[DuckyDonna]

I used a puppy pad in each tote brooder and just a gooseneck desk lamp for heat but it was very warm when they hatched in June. I'm in Georgia so outside temperatures were already nice. I also put a towel over the brooder top to keep the heat in and I guess I could have used the cover it came with but the towel was easier to adjust. I have a picture but it's not very good. You can see that I've got a towel on the top.

From there they went right into a kiddie swimming pool the next day where they had plenty of room to run around. I had 11 of them.