Newly hatched duckling issues...? Or is this all normal?

[Muse]

This is my newly hatched duck, we were totally unprepared for him to hatch today! He was the only one that hatched out of 2. He was born with a yolk sac I believe still attached. Also his feet are inverted! We don’t have a heat lamp so he is in the incubator! I mashed peas for him since we don’t have starter feed, I can’t get to the store until my bf gets back and hopefully that will be before 5:30 if not it will have to wait until 7:30 tomorrow morning. We have a damp towel that he is standing on so the sac stays moist. I’m really worried about that and his feet, any advice??

 

[Smuvers Farm]

I'm not trying to judge you, but you should have been better prepared if you have eggs being set by a broody or in your incubator. You should have had food and a brooder prepared. This was very poor planning on your part.

Now, let me tag a few of our duckie people, to see if they can recommend anything:

@WVduckchick @casportpony and toss in @rjohns39 for good luck!

 

[casportpony]

Get him off of the wet towel. A wet towel could introduce bacteria to his umbilicus.

Here is one of a duckling that didn't fully absorb.

 

[WVduckchick]

Very cute!

Can you get a picture of the belly? I'd also start looking for a friend for her.

 

[Muse]

Get him off of the wet towel. A wet towel could introduce bacteria to his umbilicus.
View attachment 1188292

Here is one of a duckling that didn't fully absorb.

Woah! That’s amazing! Thanks for sharing, I will get him off the damp towel. I did read about the splints! Thanks

 

[casportpony]

Woah! That’s amazing! Thanks for sharing, I will get him off the damp towel. I did read about the splints! Thanks

Same duckling two days later:

 

[casportpony]

We don’t have a heat lamp so he is in the incubator! I mashed peas for him since we don’t have starter feed, I can’t get to the store until my bf gets back and hopefully that will be before 5:30 if not it will have to wait until 7:30 tomorrow morning.

Try to get there today, that would be best.

 

[Muse]

Very cute!

Can you get a picture of the belly? I'd also start looking for a friend for her.

Oh I tried! But he doesn’t like to be held too much :/ he’s very active and I’m afraid our ducks have stopped laying eggs because it has gotten too cold!! I may have to order some? Ducks are out of season for babies because it’s november.

 

[Muse]

Same duckling two days later:

So did the yolk sac absorb? Did he live?

 

[casportpony]

So did the yolk sac absorb? Did he live?

You couldn't even see that after about a week, and yes, he lived!