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Need help, quick! Hatched duckling-strange

Discussion in 'Ducks' started by zanelee, Feb 12, 2013.

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  1. Feb 12, 2013 #1
    zanelee

    zanelee Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Jul 10, 2010
    Deep in the heart of Texas
    Quick background:
    Momma sat on 6 eggs. 5 hatched and finished sunday night. Moved momma and new babies to new nest and found last egg had pipped. Put in the incubator as momma was not interested in sitting on it. Could see signs of life and hear peeping the whole time. Finally started helping baby out slowly over 10 hours. Once baby came out, what was left of the yolk sac had grown attached to the back of the baby's head. By the way it looked, I dont' think that the yolk sac could have finished absorbing. (I didn't think to take a picture, dang it!)
    Dh and I sterilized and cut the attachment as close to the head as possible. You can see in the first picture the stump. No bleeding and seemed to be no pain. Sterilzed stump and "yolk" sac with betadine. Duckling is wabbling around like a newly hatched one should now, however, I don't know what to do with the "yolk" sac. (second picture) It is nasty, came out that way, and I a thinking I should detach it.
    Any suggestions?
    Thanks so much!
    Jennifer

    [​IMG]


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  3. Feb 12, 2013 #2
    LaynaDon95

    LaynaDon95 Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Hm. Odd. In my experience the yolk sack falls off fairly quickly, but I've never had one look like that. I would leave it for a little bit and see what it does, but if it doesn't fall off on it's own within the hour I would remove it. Other than that, I don't really have any suggestions other than keeping it's head clean, but I know you'll do that. As long as it's progressing normally I wouldn't worry too much. Seems like pretty minor stuff.
     
  5. Feb 13, 2013 #3
    Miss Lydia

    Miss Lydia Running over with Blessings Premium Member

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    If it's dry[the duckling] I would get it into a brooder to keep it from catching that egg sac on the wire and possibly yanking it out, which would not feel so good. hopefully it will continue to dry out and fall off, I'd give it a chance but put watered down betadine where it is attached. and you will probably have to get duckling eating and drinking quicker since it's egg sac isn't absorbing and giving it the nutrients it needs. Keep us posted please.
     
    Last edited: Feb 13, 2013
  7. Feb 14, 2013 #4
    zooweemama

    zooweemama Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Far Northern California
    Wow how is the little one now? This is a new one on me so I don't have any advice. I hope all is well!
     
  9. Feb 14, 2013 #5
    Miss Lydia

    Miss Lydia Running over with Blessings Premium Member

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    Western N.C.
    Me too i hope it made it.
     

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