Help needed with a weak duckling

[chickens really]

I

Okay... That duckling is very weak and does not need to be subjected to the abuse the other duckling is giving it, and it should have pooped by now even though it's not eating.

just got the video....It probably won't survive very long...

 

[casportpony]

@Ducktown , can you go to Tractor Supply and get some Nutri-Drench? It might benefit from a drop or two of that.

Place the duckling in it's own brooder and make sure it's warm enough. do not use a heat lamp because the duckling is unable to walk and won't be able to get away from the heat.

I seriously doubt that your duckling has brain damage. I think it's weak and dehydrated from a prolonged hatch and/or it has a yolk sac infection. If just weak and dehydrated you might be able to save it, but if it has a yolk sac infection it will probably not survive.

When I have one that look like that I keep it alone and warm. Once warm I will give it a drop or two of Nutri-Drench each day and I will give 1-2 drop of Gatorade every 30-60 minutes.

@WVduckchick , @Ravynscroft , @Pyxis

 

[Ducktown]

You were right. It just passed away.

It did react to my calls (I called them 'hello ducks' while still in their incubator). When I did that, both started chirping. Looks like some of brain functions were not fully developed. Thank you all for your help!

 

[Ravynscroft]

Ducklings can and do get pasty butt, it's just much rarer than chicks... and any duckling that is weak can't clean it's vent properly when it's needed...

@Ducktown do you have or can you get some Nutridrench Poultry vitamins or infant vitamins (PolyViSol w/out Iron)? Take a dropper with a drop or 2 of vitamins and use the end of the dropper to tilt the bill up and back a bit, let the vitamins dribble along their jaw line and see if you can get it to take just a bit... up and back with the bill is natural drinking position so if even a tiny bit can seep into the bill, it should swallow instinctively... for you little one, and definitely keep it separated, the others may dog pile on top and smother it...

 

[Ravynscroft]

So sorry!!

That wasn't brain damage, I just looked at your video... it was sitting on it's hocks, most likely had yolk sac infection like Kathy mentioned since it went so quickly... for new hatched ducklings paper towels/paper products are much too slippery of a surface as well... I use the rubber gripper shelf liner for mine for first couple days, helps get their feet under them much quicker and easier...

 

[Ducktown]

In the end it started opening its bill, but was even weaker. No way I could make it drink. I tried giving him a drop of sugared water but it passed away a minute or two later.

He should be rested after more than a day after it hatched. I think it must have been something else. Its health did not improve a notch since it hatched.

...
When I removed the smaller box, the larger duckling doesn't stop eating. Like he's having a party. Water everywhere... At least this one is perfectly healthy!

PS:
It's not slippery at all. I add layers on top and keep a towel below. It removes the moisture from below, warmth does the rest from above. I also have a clump of grass with some soil and grit in a corner of the box. Duck gets some grit all over the box. When it does get too wet, I remove and replace paper towels and cotton towel below. Wood cuttings below that are still dry.

 

[casportpony]

You were right. It just passed away.

It did react to my calls (I called them 'hello ducks' while still in their incubator). When I did that, both started chirping. Looks like some of brain functions were not fully developed. Thank you all for your help!

So sorry! I suspect it was a yolk sac infection. Compare the size of it's belly to the size of the older one and I think you will find the the healthy one has a much smaller belly. Additionally, it's umbilicus looked very red and inflamed, which is also a sign of yolk sac infection.

 

[Ravynscroft]

So sorry, and yes, it had an issue beyond being weak... comparing your pic from just after hatch to the last pic, the belly had swollen up... that's infected yolk sac... very rare for any hatchling to survive that... you did all you could...

View attachment 554121

It opens his eyes and can have it's head up, but not for long. It just drops down after it gets in contact with the stronger duckling. When it's left alone for a while it keeps its head up and has his eyes closed. If I try to get him drink, he usually also drops his little head down to its side and rests.
It does have a pooper and it seems there was a little bit of discharge when I was uncovering it. Just a drop, I took a photo.

View attachment 555014

I also filmed them together in the same box.

 

[WVduckchick]

so sorry.