I've had to pip a lot of ducks.
First, they were incubated under a Silky, and chickens don't go swimming once in a while like a Momma duck, so that when she returns to sit on her clutch, the momma duck would hydrate them.
For the record ... my Silkies just took it upon themselves to gather duck eggs, rocks, occasionally a door knob ... anything sortta round ... and sit on it.
Duck eggs need external moisture or the chicks will be "sticky chicks" and have trouble pipping and hatching. Plus they will be weak and close to comatose once they start their pip.
I've helped them by slowly chipping away at the shell being very careful at both ends. I also put damp paper towels under the egg as I assist. You will eventually have to tear the placenta ... but do go slowly.
You've never seen a chick or duckling dragging it's placentas around ... have you?
I believe that once popping starts, hormones collapse the placentas ... but sticky chicks might just react differently.
Findings: they will be somewhat lethargic once they are out of the shell. Let them lie under a 75 Watt lamp for a while to help their pinfeathers dry. Watch the heat or you'll cook them.
I put 4 or 6 at a time inside a Tupperware high walled mixing bowl, on an old face cloth inside with them that's slightly damp. You'll enjoy seeing them jump straight up like a pogo stick, to get out of the bowl.
They do! They jump straight up! Amazing.
I tend to bring the clutch into my bedroom, alongside my bed so when they DO pogo, I'll be there for them. I can always hear them running on my carpet and I wake up instantly. .
Anither amazingly interesting thing is ... every baby is folded and packed into their shells exactly the same way, in the same position!
The umbilical cord will instantly (look quickly) retract toward the baby, disappearing to where a navel might be, but I've never found it again ... kinda like a tape measure flying back into the housing.
Do not let any un-mother duck-hatched babies go swimming!
They don't float!
They will drown since, without a mother duck over them, they don't get oil on them to keep dry.
They will absorb water and go to the bottom ... so be careful.
Tiny little lifejackets don't exist ... I know of what I'm saying here.
I always thought that the first moving thing ducklings saw after hatching, automatically became "Mommy" and they would follow and obey it ...... walking in cute lines and quacking.
Not so!
I was the first thing they saw and once they stood up, they never looked at me again! <sniff>
some of those first poops are quite interesting. Haha.
that nubby shelf liner stuff is really nice for when you need a bit more traction so may be an idea if he’s having trouble keeping his legs under him too.
the baby who needed help is great and eating on it's own. Walking much better and holds head up no problem. Tge 1st one is ornery as ever!!
