New duckling can’t raise head

[EastIndie]

I have an Australian spotted bantam duck hen sitting on eight eggs. On day 26 when the ducklings were supposed to hatch, I found one pipped egg. On day 27 there were no more pips so I decided to bring in the egg that had been pipped for 24 hours into the incubator where I proceeded to carefully peel away the shell (I have had to assist in manyhatches and have a pretty good survival rate). The next morning on day 28 the duckling had absorbed all of the yolk but couldn’t push itself out so I carefully assisted in hatching it. I gave itelectrolytes from a syringe but it seemed pretty weak. I monitored it throughout the day but it couldn’t lift it’s head or walk and just flipped onto it’s side when it tried. That evening the rest of the eggs had pipped. On the morning of day 29, today, there wasn’t much change. It seems like it is trying to lift its head but it isn’t strong enough as you can see on the first picture. Also no more ducklings under the mother. It doesn’t have wry neck but I don’t know if the best thing to do is cull or wait it out?

 

[house.of.ducks]

Welcome to BYC!! The little guy could just be tired from hatching, it’s hard work after all (especially since he was having a hard time and had to be assisted) and if he’s trying to lift his head up that means he’s getting stronger. I would wait it out if I were you, it’s always worth a try. Keep up the electrolytes and maybe also dribble some water onto it’s bill. Not an expert by any means but I hope this helped a bit. Good luck

 

[Miss Lydia]

How's the duckling doing today?

 

[EastIndie]

The duckling is still the same. When he tries to lift his head he falls over onto his back and can’t roll over. I put him in a bowl so that he has room to move around but not flip over and waste too much energy trying to get on his feet. I have two more duckling that I had to assist in the incubator with him as well as a Mille fleur d’uccle that the mother hen had squished in the egg. Although they were weak at first, the rest of the babies seem to be normal now.

 

[Lil Drake40]

can you get poultry nutri drench? It’s awesome stuff for new hatchlings just dribble along it’s Bill can it drink or eat on it’s own?god idea on the bowl.

 

[EastIndie]

It can’t really eat on its own because it doesn’t have control of its head but when i put its beak in the bowl of mashed up food it kind of tries to nibble at it. Not sure if it actually gets any into its bill. I have been feeding it mashed up flock raiser started with the electrolyte water mixed in with a syringe. It pooped once yesterday so I think that’s a good sign.

 

[Lil Drake40]

Glad to hear your getting some into it pooping is a good sign.whats great about poultry ND is it can be given straight and goes right into the blood stream instead of going to the gut first theninto blood stream. Sure hope the lil one perks up soon.

 

[EastIndie]

Thanks

 

[chickens really]

Hello..I'm not telling you what to do at all..I personally Cull weak Babies. I have tried to save some and then have to Cull anyways. It's only you that knows if it's worth your effort and its suffering..We never can tell what's actually wrong with them...
Best wishes...

 

[casportpony]

It can’t really eat on its own because it doesn’t have control of its head but when i put its beak in the bowl of mashed up food it kind of tries to nibble at it. Not sure if it actually gets any into its bill. I have been feeding it mashed up flock raiser started with the electrolyte water mixed in with a syringe. It pooped once yesterday so I think that’s a good sign.

Pooping is a great sign!