We had our first duckling hatch today. He had a small bit of egg attached to him via what I am assuming was his umbilical cord. He just laid around all day on his side. When we picked him up his head was really floppy. Jacob pulled the egg shell off this afternoon which I'm guessing probably wasn't a good idea. I checked on him tonight and he still isn't moving around. He kind of lays on his side and twitches around. He's got a bit of something hanging from his bottom - solid, not yolk. I did get him to drink a little water and he may have been able to get a couple little bits of food down. He is not able to stand and if there isn't anything under his feet they twitch. Still no real muscle control with his neck. He's in the incubator still. We've got a brooder, but the chicks will probably kill the poor little guy.
This is the first duckling we've hatched. Well, actually he was in the barn being incubated by momma duck. He's part Cayuga and part Mallard. Just the cutest little thing. Is there anything else we can do for him? I'm hoping he'll be doing better in the morning.
This is the first duckling we've hatched. Well, actually he was in the barn being incubated by momma duck. He's part Cayuga and part Mallard. Just the cutest little thing. Is there anything else we can do for him? I'm hoping he'll be doing better in the morning.