mallard duck hatching & problem: please advise *pictures included*

[Luvducks]

My little Call Duck looked like this. I placed a damp Paper towel over it except the head to keep moisture on there. After they hatch this thing is smaller but the duck drug it around for two days and it dried up and fell off.

 

[beepbeepinajeep]

He is still connected, but I bet the shell will fall off soon. His belly bulge is shrinking a bit & gets less and less red. I am hoping those are all good signs. He is still sleeping, but I imagine he is still very tired from hatching out. He is still peeping and wiggling.

 

[beepbeepinajeep]

He still isn't awake. Fairly normal?

 

[vfem]

Is he breathing? you see sleeping movement?!

 

[Keisha]

I would touch him or watch closely to see if he is still alive and doing okay.

 

[beepbeepinajeep]

He is alive... breathing, wiggling a little, even peeping a little every once in a while. He is just not trying to get up or change positions at all.

 

[beepbeepinajeep]

I think the belly bulge is looking a lot better now. Do ya'll think he is sleeping while he absorbs the rest of it? Have you ever had a chick or duckling that didn't try and get up right away?

 

[beepbeepinajeep]

Any words of advice before I go to bed? Should I prepare myself to find him dead when I get up?

 

[Shanay235]

As long as he's alone and not getting stepped on by any other ducklings, I'd leave him in there for now.

It looks like he has a protruding navel. The yolk is still being absorbed and the navel hasn't completely closed yet. I've had quite a few ducks and goslings hatch with their navels looking like that and all have made it. If it's getting smaller, that's a good thing.

Whatever you do, don't try to pull him out of the shell, it could cause him to bleed to death. Keep him as quiet and still as possible. He'll finish the job when he's ready. The laying still and not moving around much is normal to at this point.

 

[beepbeepinajeep]

Thank you for posting to me He has started preening his belly a bit, but is still laying very still. I hope I can give you an update in the AM that he has absorbed even more. I have left the shell alone. I figure it will come off when it is ready.