Help. Rouen duckling with protruding belly button

[ksmith6689]

Above is a picture of it. I had to assist in the hatch from start with this little guy. He was malpositioned. Now that he is out of the shell his belly looks terrible. I'm not sure if those are is intestines sticking out or what. Please help me save this little guy

 

[Outpost JWB]

AHHH! Looks like it wasn't yet ready to hatch. I've done it myself though--- too early. One thing you can try is to wrap a warm damp/wet paper towel around the duckling and place it back in the incubator. The towel cannot dry out though. Let the duckling rest and try to keep it isolated from the others. I don't have ducks, but I have done this successfully with chicks before. Hope it helps. Please keep us updated.

 

[ksmith6689]

Ok thanks. How long do I keep him wrapped up?

 

[ksmith6689]

Also how do you know when they are ready? I made sure the yolk and blood vessels were absorbed before fully hatching him.

 

[dotporter]

Helping babies out of the egg usually ends badly. Unfortunately it's sometimes necessary if the hatching isn't progressing and the duckling is in obvious distress. On yours, that's the egg sac with the accompanying umbilical which would have attached it to the egg. As outpost said, "egg wrapping" will help. Wrap it up in a very slightly damp wash cloth or towel and let it finish developing. You'll know how long because he'll try to "hatch" out of the washcloth when he's ready. If he wiggles out and is still a bit weak, give him a drink of water and put him back. A dab of antibiotic ointment on that red spot wouldn't hurt either.

Handling eggs too much during the last stage before hatching can cause the babies to move out of position and can cause the temperature to vary too much causing poor hatching. Best bet is, when they are very close to hatching, hands off. It's very hard to do, but really is best. Watch for pipping, watch for them to unzip the shell... but unless it's an emergency you really do just have to trust that they will hatch.

Best of luck!

 

[ksmith6689]

Thanks for the info. The only reason I helped this guy was because he was in such a position he wasn't at the air sac and couldn't pip.

 

[dotporter]

I completely understand. I've had ducklings looking that exact same. Once in a while a duck mamma will accidentally step on an egg before it's fully hatched and sometimes a duckling gets partway and just doesn't progress. It happens. I only added the other stuff because once in a while someone gets so over eager at hatching that they can't help but help! I really do hope the little one makes it.

 

[ksmith6689]

Well so far he is still alive. He's kicking his legs a lot and moving his head around. I looked at his belly though and it still looks terrible. Hopefully he'll pull through. I'll let you know.

 

[ksmith6689]

Ok. The little guy finally " hatched" himself out of the towel this morning but now he can't stand up or walk. He just lays on his side and kicks a whole bunch. Any suggestions on how to help him stand. If I put him on his legs he falls over to the same side every time.

 

[Ravynscroft]

He'll be a bit weaker for a day or 2 since he was assisted... give him a drop of Nutridrench or Polyvisol w/out iron to give him a boost... just give him some time and hopefully he'll strengthen his legs up with the kicking... how does his belly look now?