Help! New duckling has something hard on its back.

[shawluvsbirds]

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!

Yeah..that just looks like egg gunk in this pic. The first one almost looked like an attached lump.
That will wear off eventually.
As for the legs..
Try to determine if it's feet are just curled up and unable to flatten out or if it's a leg lameness issue.
I would get it out if the incubator now. After the first 24 hours it doesn't need to stay as warm as your incubator would be plus it should start eating and drinking a bit.
Do you have nutri drench?
That could help with leg weakness if that's the issue.

 

[shawluvsbirds]

If it's the feet, here's how I fixed mine. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/calls-and-cayugas-2021.1450957/post-24757664

 

[Luvducklings]

Yeah..that just looks like egg gunk in this pic. The first one almost looked like an attached lump.
That will wear off eventually.
As for the legs..
Try to determine if it's feet are just curled up and unable to flatten out or if it's a leg lameness issue.
I would get it out if the incubator now. After the first 24 hours it doesn't need to stay as warm as your incubator would be plus it should start eating and drinking a bit.
Do you have nutri drench?
That could help with leg weakness if that's the issue.

Hi! I don’t have any nutra drench...but I will get some! His feet aren’t curled up...he’s just super wobbly on them. I did get him out of the incubator....and in the container I’m using for a brooder....so the two ducklings I have can see each other. The stuff on his back is getting less and less....so you think having that on him could be causing some of the instability? It’s right around his right wing. The lil one is in the basket...it’s the best I could do...but he seems happy!

 

[Aunt Angus]

Hi! I don’t have any nutra drench...but I will get some! His feet aren’t curled up...he’s just super wobbly on them. I did get him out of the incubator....and in the container I’m using for a brooder....so the two ducklings I have can see each other. The stuff on his back is getting less and less....so you think having that on him could be causing some of the instability? It’s right around his right wing. The lil one is in the basket...it’s the best I could do...but he seems happy!

Good job with the basket! Resourceful!

 

[Aunt Angus]

If it's the feet, here's how I fixed mine. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/calls-and-cayugas-2021.1450957/post-24757664

If this one's feet aren't curled, is there a way to support the legs? It's almost like this little one has the opposite of splay leg...

 

[shawluvsbirds]

Hi! I don’t have any nutra drench...but I will get some! His feet aren’t curled up...he’s just super wobbly on them. I did get him out of the incubator....and in the container I’m using for a brooder....so the two ducklings I have can see each other. The stuff on his back is getting less and less....so you think having that on him could be causing some of the instability? It’s right around his right wing. The lil one is in the basket...it’s the best I could do...but he seems happy!

You know I think it's possible it could be throwing it's balance off.

 

[Luvducklings]

Good job with the basket! Resourceful!

Got a question for u....so I am using a red heat lamp...how do I know if it’s warm enough or too warm for them...especially being a few days apart. When I hold them the couple day older ones feet are warm...the newer one...lil pip as I call him...lol...his are cool. I feel like I have the older one where he can get in and out of the light as he sees fit....the littler one doesn’t have as much room to get out of it. Also, the little one is just cheeping non stop..is that a sign of temperature? Thank u in advance!! ..

 

[NatJ]

Got a question for u....so I am using a red heat lamp...how do I know if it’s warm enough or too warm for them...especially being a few days apart. When I hold them the couple day older ones feet are warm...the newer one...lil pip as I call him...lol...his are cool. I feel like I have the older one where he can get in and out of the light as he sees fit....the littler one doesn’t have as much room to get out of it. Also, the little one is just cheeping non stop..is that a sign of temperature? Thank u in advance!! ..

Have you tried just putting the younger one and the older one together, with supervision?

Sometimes little ones are nice to even-littler ones, and sometimes not, so it may not work.

But if it does work, it is definitely the easy way to give them both enough room, and the ability to get in & out of the warm and cool areas of the brooder.

 

[Luvducklings]

Have you tried just putting the younger one and the older one together, with supervision?

Sometimes little ones are nice to even-littler ones, and sometimes not, so it may not work.

But if it does work, it is definitely the easy way to give them both enough room, and the ability to get in & out of the warm and cool areas of the brooder.

I did try it this morning....the lil older one started pecking at the lil one...so I got protective and got the basket put together. I thought if they can see each other and hear each other for a day or two I’d try again? U think I should try again tonight? I worry lil pip won’t be able to get away if the older one gets aggressive.

 

[Luvducklings]

I did try it this morning....the lil older one started pecking at the lil one...so I got protective and got the basket put together. I thought if they can see each other and hear each other for a day or two I’d try again? U think I should try again tonight? I worry lil pip won’t be able to get away if the older one gets aggressive.

Man this is way more stressful than raising horses!! .