Help! New duckling has something hard on its back.

[Luvducklings]

So yesterday I had a baby duck hatch....it has this really hard “stuff” on its back for lack of a better term. It cannot stand up and I have tried using warm water to soften it, but that didn’t seem to soften it much. I am very new to this....this is my second hatchling...and I want to help but have no idea what to do next. I held it igis morning and tried to give it a drink and a little food....and it did drink a little and maybe took one bite of food I had watered down a little. I really want this little one to make it so I would appreciate any help anyone can give me!! Thank u!!!

 

[nuthatched]

Is it egg membrane? Is it attached?

 

[Luvducklings]

I’m not sure....it’s very hard...I took another pic.

 

[Luvducklings]

I did try to soften it in a sink of water last night...but I didn’t really get any softer at all...and I hate to pick it off...not knowing for sure what it is. He can’t stand up...his feet are a little funny, but all there. I still have him in the incubator. I did get him to drink this morning.

 

[nuthatched]

Hhmm, let me see if I can tag some duck people.
@Kiki I don't think you have ducks but you do hatch frequently.
@3KillerBs any ideas?
I'm drawing blanks on duck people

 

[Luvducklings]

Thank u so much!!

 

[Aunt Angus]

@Isaac 0
@Miss Lydia
@shawluvsbirds

 

[Aunt Angus]

There are others, but I'm having trouble linking names for some reason.

 

[shawluvsbirds]

I have never seen anything like that I am clueless as to what that could be.

 

[NatJ]

yesterday I had a baby duck hatch....I held it igis morning and tried to give it a drink and a little food....and it did drink a little and maybe took one bite of food I had watered down a little.

Baby ducklings absorb the yolk from their egg just before they hatch, and that is enough "food" for several days. That's how hatcheries can send them through the mail: they don't need to eat & drink in the first three days or so.

(It should be fine if the duckling eats and drinks right away, just don't worry if it chooses not to.)