Help with early hatched duckling

[Aleka]

Looking for advice on a two day old duckling. He is technically early as something got a hold of the egg and dropped it on the cement crack it early. There was some blood loss and some of the yoke remained. The Membrane was drying out so I brought him inside. Peeled off most of the shell because of the way the membrane was closing in around him. By the end of the next day he was able to disconnect from the remaining part of the shell that was connected to him through the umbilical. It’s now been 24 hours since he’s disconnected and he still cheeps loudly but isn’t walking or getting food on his own. He rarely opens his but definitely gets chatty if you move him. Is it recommended to attempt force-feeding one this young? I do have a decent formula I use for my finches.... I’m hoping he’s just under developed and needing to take a little more time reabsorbed in the yard. However today it appears that nearly everything’s probably reabsorbed... Don’t want him to get too weak from lack of nourishment but not sure if I should just give them more time. Any tips would be greatly appreciated

 

[Kholts]

I had 2 ducklings that came out what would be considered early due to not enough yolk absorption.

Both did look quite weak for 24 hours & didn’t start eating drinking until closer to 48 hours + after hatching. As long as you periodically are showing it where water & food is by dipping it’s beak into the sources it should eventually start eating drinking.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Do not force feed the duckling. They can live off of the yolk for 48+. Ducklings that take longer to absorb the yolk will often take a day longer than other ducklings to start eating. I know any assisted hatch that I have had took around 2 days before they were interested in food.