Pekin hatchling! Help please!

[annaclaireirene]

Two of my pekin ducklings hatched healthy with no issues! But the third baby's membrane dried out, and I kept it as moist as I could. I let him rest over 24 hours and still was just very dry and sticky, and couldn't move at all. I cleaned him off in the egg as much as I could, kept him moist and eventually had to help him out. He appeared to be lively and healthy, but I went to go give him a bath to get the stickiness off of him, and he then started to foam at the mouth. Sort of like puke, of some sort. I could hear him heavily breathing and attempting to clean his nose out. So, I placed him in the water and began to fall asleep in the water!! Quickly, I took him out and dried him off, and again just kept falling asleep/passing out. He now is in the incubator drying off. Still seems to be lively though. Should I be worried about any of these symptoms? I want to make sure this little guy makes it as best as I can!

 

[puppetsarecute]

I would not be too worried. I'm not that experienced on this though. My guess is that he is just very tired after hatching and after he gets some rest, he will be fine. I just hatched my mallard out today with the same symptoms. He is just asleep now. He hatched at around 3:30pm today! haha they almost the same!

 

[annaclaireirene]

He seems lively at the moment and is drinking so hopefully i just have to watch him close!!!

 

[puppetsarecute]

Same with my little mallard! They are so fragile. I also but a small stuffed animal in the incubator. I don't know if it makes a difference to him, but I thought it would give him a buddy and something warm he could lean on, since he has no (bird) mom. He seems to like it But yours has 2 other ducks to hang with, whereas mine is lonely. Good luck!

 

[annaclaireirene]

Yes!! Very. And i've done that before with other babies by themselves as well. And just pay more attention to them so they have some sort of interaction! And you too!

 

[puppetsarecute]

Thanks! Do you know if it is okay to give them a bath to get the duckie "dandruff" off of them. Or will it take away the natural oils and stuff?

 

[annaclaireirene]

Yes you can give them baths. Just closely watch them. Don't do it for a long time