Help! New duckling has something hard on its back.

[Miss Lydia]

I was going to tag @shawluvsbirds but I see she already posted.
I've never seen anything like it either.
@Pyxis
@WVduckchick
It could just be leftover membrane which can be very hard to get off so after it's up and eating which may take a few days, a nice warm bath where it can soak may help [with supervision] . It can also take a few days for them to get their feet under them too. You mentioned its feet if you could get a good picture?

 

[WVduckchick]

Looks like leftover gunk from hatching to me also. How does the navel look? Did it fully detach, or is there still stuff attached (that maybe wound up on its back?) I would guess the stuff will come loose once he is up and about and starts preening, or you should eventually be able to wash it off.

 

[Luvducklings]

Thank u for the responses! I did give him another warm bath today...and some of it came off. I will get a picture of his feet...he is still really struggling to stand, like really doesn’t do it at all by himself....which really concerns me. His navel looks good with nothing on it. And he does eat and drink like crazy. I still have him in the incubator...as I have one other lil duckling in my brooder and worry he might pick on this lil guy?

 

[Miss Lydia]

If you can put up a partition in your brooder so the 2 can see each other? they will be better together than apart. I used some hardware cloth and wrapped the edges in gorilla tape so I could have my 2 older ducklings and my newly hatched ducklings in the same brooder. Once the 2 new ones were up on their feet good I started putting them together while watching and it was only a few days the littles were sleeping on top of the 2 older ones.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Just curious: When would it be time to start worrying about the little guy? I know it can take a bit for them to get strength (hatching is serious and exhausting work) .

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'd like to see the duckling's feet in case they may need to have some boots made or taped if the feet aren't lying flat or if the duckling is spraddle legged these things need to be fixed . But another day would probably still be plenty of time since it's just 1 day old. Hopefully, by tomorrow, it will be up walking.

 

[Luvducklings]

I will gather the supplies and try to partition my brooder. I was just messing with him and forgot to take a pic of his legs! I will get him out again in a while and take it so u can see. I feel like he does a lot of crossing his legs when I help him stand...if that makes sense. If I keep my hand over the top of him he tries to stand for a few seconds, but if I let go he goes over backwards and rolls until I give him some support again. I will say the stuff on his back is less...I’ll get another pic of that too! He is such a fighter so far....I want so badly for this to end well! .

 

[Luvducklings]

It is sooooo very nice to feel like I have some support! I am scared to death I’m going to do something wrong and do more harm than good! I will post those pics when I get home in a little bit! Thank u all!!

 

[Aunt Angus]

I want so badly for this to end well!

We all do, too! Fingers crossed for good luck!

 

[Luvducklings]

Here’s a couple pics....they aren’t the best, but man it’s hard to get good pics of him! He’s constantly moving around trying to stand up!! I love his determination!