My First Ducks Ever Are Hatching!

[NurseB]

Oh my goodnesssssss!!! I love them all!!! <3

 

[DyingPhoenix]

Good morning everyone! There's bad news and good news. Bad is that the last duckling to hatch passed away in shell. It had pipped a nice hole in the shell and could definitely breathe but after it passed and I inspected it, it had not fully absorbed the yolk. It didn't bleed itself out either.. It was another barred. Poor thing.

However, the good news is everyone is doing great! Even the runt. As they hatch and dry out I spend time with each baby individually for bonding reasons and today is the little dark chocolate ones turn.

Each little one is unique and this little beauty shows just that! I THINK this is chocolate, anyway.

The other chocolate doesn't have the tipped toes and pale wingtips. So cute! After the poor baby cried in the mini brooder all morning when I was walking around, it's time to show the little thing how nice and warm hands are! They're also good for fluffing up those pesky, hard-to-reach down clumps.

All is quiet!

 

[Miss Lydia]

So precious!!

Sorry about the one that didn't make it. you sure have a nice little flock.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Good morning everyone! There's bad news and good news. Bad is that the last duckling to hatch passed away in shell. It had pipped a nice hole in the shell and could definitely breathe but after it passed and I inspected it, it had not fully absorbed the yolk. It didn't bleed itself out either.. It was another barred. Poor thing.

However, the good news is everyone is doing great! Even the runt. As they hatch and dry out I spend time with each baby individually for bonding reasons and today is the little dark chocolate ones turn.

Each little one is unique and this little beauty shows just that! I THINK this is chocolate, anyway.
View attachment 1447556

The other chocolate doesn't have the tipped toes and pale wingtips. So cute! After the poor baby cried in the mini brooder all morning when I was walking around, it's time to show the little thing how nice and warm hands are! They're also good for fluffing up those pesky, hard-to-reach down clumps.

All is quiet!
View attachment 1447559

So sweet!
I think even though you have had some losses, you have had good success with hatching these muscovy babies!

 

[DyingPhoenix]

Thank you! I'm thankful for each of them.

I'm dying of curiosity for the genders and I tried to vent sex a few of the first ones to hatch but they all looked female to me. I was trying to be very gentle though and I'm not sure I added enough pressure to fully open to reveal any little duckie parts lol. I think I'll try again in a week when they aren't so teenie.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Thank you! I'm thankful for each of them.

I'm dying of curiosity for the genders and I tried to vent sex a few of the first ones to hatch but they all looked female to me. I was trying to be very gentle though and I'm not sure I added enough pressure to fully open to reveal any little duckie parts lol. I think I'll try again in a week when they aren't so teenie.

Vent sexing gets harder as they age, not easier.
Have you watched any videos? That might help. I would wait, if it were me as I would be afraid to hurt them. Even those who know how to vent sex don't always get it right. That is why you read about so many asking the genders when they ordered a certain sex. You will know soon enough.

 

[DyingPhoenix]

Oh, I watched as many as I could find! I just hate doing it as hanging there makes them cry and they trust me 100%. They come running to my hands and I can pet them and scritch them all over and they have absolutely no fear.

You should see them greet me when I walk up to the brooder out in the shed. It's a party!

I want to learn, though, and no one I know in person knows how so I'll probably end up trying again.

 

[DyingPhoenix]

Yep I know I'm doing it wrong cause they all look like girls. They all forgave me for the abuse but I did get pooped on when I opened one up. LOL.

On a kind of related note, I bought 8 day old Marans off a guy from Craigslist last year. It was all he had left. They were ALL female! Now, I'm sure I'm doing the ducklings wrong, but I thought that Marans episode was neat.

I'm gonna wait and see.. And post plenty of pics! Figuring out genders will be interesting anyway.

 

[DyingPhoenix]

The little bitty duckling is worrying me. Seems to be lively for now but I got it out today to inspect it and just can't believe how small it is. It looks underdeveloped.

It still has a swollen, dark and naked belly.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Oh my. So tiny. I know nothing about hatching though. Hopefully the belly clears up.