How to Euthanize Incubated Eggs

[FlyAnywayAJ]

Please try to avoid hate. This is hard enough already

We had a duck to broody and hatched 2 duckling then killed them. Thinking she was not a good mama we took the remainder and put them in our incubator. They are hatching with what I can best describe as seeming to have a brain injury or something similar. They’re not opening their eyes and their movements are random and spastic and possibly even seizure like.
We have decided to euthanize them. I have had to euthanize live chicks before so I’m ok with the ducklings but my question is: is there a most humane way to euthanize while still in the egg?

Thank you

 

[fowltemptress]

Have you hatched ducklings before? What you're describing sounds like normal newly hatched ducklings to me, but I'm not there so I can't be sure of what you're seeing. It takes time for them to open their eyes and steady themselves.

 

[AshVau22]

When ducks hatch they aren't like chicks they don't hit the ground running. They are very slow and fall around like they are drunk. Take a good two days after hatch to be more sturdy and moving around. They will sleep a lot the first 24-48 hours. Unless you can clearly see a brain deformity I'd say they sound like normal hatching ducklings.

 

[nuthatched]

Give it a 24 hour day to 'get over' hatching. They've never existed before, hive it time.
If there's no improvement, do this
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...re-culling-the-injured-and-sick-babies.72140/

 

[AshVau22]

Please try to avoid hate. This is hard enough already

We had a duck to broody and hatched 2 duckling then killed them. Thinking she was not a good mama we took the remainder and put them in our incubator. They are hatching with what I can best describe as seeming to have a brain injury or something similar. They’re not opening their eyes and their movements are random and spastic and possibly even seizure like.
We have decided to euthanize them. I have had to euthanize live chicks before so I’m ok with the ducklings but my question is: is there a most humane way to euthanize while still in the egg?

Thank you

A video of the ducklings behavior would also be helpful. As far as euthanize the baby while still being in the egg I do not have any advice. I've always given all eggs a chance at hatching. They either hatch or they don't. And I prefer to cull after hatch if needed.

 

[SnackMeat]

Dealing with this myself and it does initially feel like "something is wrong," but really I think one just has wry neck. Push niacin or use a b-complex vitamin. My first hatcher is still spastic and my second one seems fine but simply tired and can't get their feet under them. But no, I agree with everyone else-- your ducks just need some supplements, electrolytes, and sleep. They are definitely not like chicks.

 

[FlyAnywayAJ]

Yes I have been hatching ducklings years and I am familiar with what’s normal for ducklings vs chicks. This is not the same although maybe I am not describing it very well.
Thanks for the responses.