newly hatched duckling shaking feet

alyssanz1995

In the Brooder
Oct 10, 2015
16
0
22
My newly hatched mallard duckling is unable to walk or stand properly (keeps falling on its back) due to feet that will not stop shaking, it looks like theyre vibrating! the duckling was also born with the yolk sac not fully developed and a piece of tissue hanging from the umbilical area, it was tied off and has since dried up and been removed but could this be related to the shaking? the duckling is lively and vocal otherwise
 
My newly hatched mallard duckling is unable to walk or stand properly (keeps falling on its back) due to feet that will not stop shaking, it looks like theyre vibrating! the duckling was also born with the yolk sac not fully developed and a piece of tissue hanging from the umbilical area, it was tied off and has since dried up and been removed but could this be related to the shaking? the duckling is lively and vocal otherwise
@alyssanz1995 Welcome to BYC
Just hatched it may just need more time to rest. It is hard work hatching. They usually don't eat or drink for the first 24 hrs but if you have something like Save a Chick you might try offering a small amount just a tiny bit right inside the bill or just dribble some along the out side of the bill. I don't know what you mean by yolk sac not fully developed, Do you mean it wasn't completely absorbed when hatched? They live off the yolk sac for a couple days after hatching. Try not to over stimulate the duckling since so new. Quiet/ red heat light is best.

I see @Lacrystol is on and she is very experienced with duckling that have special needs.Hopefully she'll see this.
 
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My first question would be why did he need tied off. By the yolk not fully absorbed and dried up and fallen off he's now lost some of his nutrients. So he is lacking what he needs to be a strong Duckie. And that is Naicin and lots of it. The problem is if his head isn't up he can't have it.

So tell me even without being able to walk can he lift his head?
 
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My newly hatched mallard duckling is unable to walk or stand properly (keeps falling on its back) due to feet that will not stop shaking, it looks like theyre vibrating! the duckling was also born with the yolk sac not fully developed and a piece of tissue hanging from the umbilical area, it was tied off and has since dried up and been removed but could this be related to the shaking? the duckling is lively and vocal otherwise

When you say "newly hatched," do you mean just today, or has it been a few days? Those symptoms can be caused by hatching injuries, but this one sounds more like a nutritional issue. Those can be caused by the parents, but it's even more likely if the yolk wasn't absorbed. Is the duckling still in a warm brooder?

Not sure what time it is there since your profile doesn't say where you are, but things like poultry Nutri-Drench and Sav-A-Chick can be helpful in these kinds of situations, but you usually have to get those from a farm/feed store. In a pinch, you can use Polyvisol without iron. That can be bought at any drug store and most grocery stores. You can try 2 drops of that three times per day from a dropper or a small syringe.

Edited to correct typo.
 
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This is my first hatch and i tied it off because i saw online that it would prevent him loosing anything further, the yolk was ruptured anyway so there wasnt much that could be actually be absorbed by that time anyway.yes je can lift his head and he is walking now and less shakey but still very unco ordinated
 

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