Please help! It's day 27 with no movement or internal pip from the duckling, what should I do?!

[BelovedBirds]

Oh i'll do that! I just put his food and water next to each other.

I'm actually supposed to volunteer tomorrow at the farm, and I read a post by @Amykins where she raised a singleton and brought him to work with her, but if they need heat, how would that work? Would you say it's better I leave him home? (She hasn't been online since 2017) There'll be 5 other people at home all day, so they can keep him company but since he sees me as his mother, I'm worried he'll have separation anxiety - although he did sleep through the night and is fine with the lights off - rather, he goes quiet instantly!

Another issue is, he doesn't go under the heat thing - it's not a lamp but those four legged platform with heat under. Even though his beak and feet are cold, and I put him under

I mean, you could take him if you can keep him warm on the way, and if you can take his brooder and plug it in at work. Personally I would probably say leave him at home, since they'll be other people who can check on him/keep him company. Plus you'll probably be busy while there anyway which would leave him alone. How long will you be at work for?
Also could we see a photo of the heating plate? it could be that its set too low down or something and needs adjusting

 

[Cocelean]

I mean, you could take him if you can keep him warm on the way, and if you can take his brooder and plug it in at work. Personally I would probably say leave him at home, since they'll be other people who can check on him/keep him company. How long will you be at work for?
Also could we see a photo of the heating plate? it could be that its set too low down or something and needs adjusting

Ill be away for about 7-8 hours.
We have an office i could plug his heater in and regularly check up on him, although i cant stay with him for long periods at a time. He can walk, is a bit wobbly but his legs slide out a lot

 

[BelovedBirds]

Ill be away for about 7-8 hours.
We have an office i could plug his heater in and regularly check up on him, although i cant stay with him for long periods at a time. He can walk, is a bit wobbly but his legs slide out a lot
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I compared the photo to my own, I think it's set a little on the low side. If he isn't going under it, try adjusting it a little higher, and feel with your hand to check it isnt too hot but nice and warm underneath
As for the leg issue, I'm not completely sure

 

[Cocelean]

I compared the photo to my own, I think it's set a little on the low side. If he isn't going under it, try adjusting it a little higher, and feel with your hand to check it isnt too hot but nice and warm underneath
As for the leg issue, I'm not completely sure

No worries, and i'll lift it a bit higher and see how he does, thanks!

 

[Cocelean]

I compared the photo to my own, I think it's set a little on the low side. If he isn't going under it, try adjusting it a little higher, and feel with your hand to check it isnt too hot but nice and warm underneath
As for the leg issue, I'm not completely sure

I lifted it quite a bit, but unless I hold him under till he falls asleep, he doesn't stay, and it's warm under but of course the plate is hot and I think when he stands upright he might be touching it - in that case should I lift it till he can stand upright without bumping his head? (Though at the same time, it might mean he gets little heat when lying down)

And is 7-8 hours okay? Or in that case would you say it's better I bring him with?

 

[BelovedBirds]

I lifted it quite a bit, but unless I hold him under till he falls asleep, he doesn't stay, and it's warm under but of course the plate is hot and I think when he stands upright he might be touching it - in that case should I lift it till he can stand upright without bumping his head? (Though at the same time, it might mean he gets little heat when lying down)

And is 7-8 hours okay? Or in that case would you say it's better I bring him with?

if you can keep him warm enough on the way and its not a long drive, and you're able to plug his brooder in inside somewhere and check on him often, then you'll probably be okay. But Personally I would leave him at home, just to avoid the stress of transporting him/leaving him in an unfamiliar place while you're busy. It's really up to you though...
As for the brooder, go ahead and raise it so that he can comfortably walk underneath and isnt touching it, as it could be that its too hot touching him, keep a close eye on him after adjusting and see if he'll go under on his own. He managed to be okay overnight, so perhaps he does go under when alone. It could be that whenever he sees you he comes out and stays out wanting your attention. I'd be interested to find a way of spying on him for a short amount of time
Definitely adjust the brooder a little higher though, play around with it and see if he'll go under

 

[BelovedBirds]

I lifted it quite a bit, but unless I hold him under till he falls asleep, he doesn't stay, and it's warm under but of course the plate is hot and I think when he stands upright he might be touching it - in that case should I lift it till he can stand upright without bumping his head? (Though at the same time, it might mean he gets little heat when lying down)

And is 7-8 hours okay? Or in that case would you say it's better I bring him with?

if after raising it, he's not kept warm enough, you'll probably find that he stays underneath and doesnt come out much, in which case I'd lower it just slightly and see if it makes any difference

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Oh i'll do that! I just put his food and water next to each other.

I'm actually supposed to volunteer tomorrow at the farm, and I read a post by @Amykins where she raised a singleton and brought him to work with her, but if they need heat, how would that work? Would you say it's better I leave him home? (She hasn't been online since 2017) There'll be 5 other people at home all day, so they can keep him company but since he sees me as his mother, I'm worried he'll have separation anxiety - although he did sleep through the night and is fine with the lights off - rather, he goes quiet instantly!

Another issue is, he doesn't go under the heat thing - it's not a lamp but those four legged platform with heat under. Even though his beak and feet are cold, and I put him under

Yeah, keep putting him under there so he learns where to go for warmth.
Not sure about work unless you plan on setting up a mini brooder there.

 

[Cocelean]

if you can keep him warm enough on the way and its not a long drive, and you're able to plug his brooder in inside somewhere and check on him often, then you'll probably be okay. But Personally I would leave him at home, just to avoid the stress of transporting him/leaving him in an unfamiliar place while you're busy. It's really up to you though...
As for the brooder, go ahead and raise it so that he can comfortably walk underneath and isnt touching it, as it could be that its too hot touching him, keep a close eye on him after adjusting and see if he'll go under on his own. He managed to be okay overnight, so perhaps he does go under when alone. It could be that whenever he sees you he comes out and stays out wanting your attention. I'd be interested to find a way of spying on him for a short amount of time
Definitely adjust the brooder a little higher though, play around with it and see if he'll go under

He went under the heater but now it's a question of whether he comes out!

Is this colouring normal?

I'm also a little worried because out of nowhere he started shaking his head and spitting/vomiting? out food.

Yeah, keep putting him under there so he learns where to go for warmth.
Not sure about work unless you plan on setting up a mini brooder there.

Yeah so I spoke to my supervisor and he's fine with me bringing the duckling in - they've got a box there I can use so I'm going to bring the heater, food and water and set a smaller brooder there and check in on him every now and then - and he'll be in a car with heating on to stay nice and warm

 

[Crazy Maizie]

He went under the heater but now it's a question of whether he comes out!
View attachment 2932093
Is this colouring normal?

I'm also a little worried because out of nowhere he started shaking his head and spitting/vomiting? out food.

Yeah so I spoke to my supervisor and he's fine with me bringing the duckling in - they've got a box there I can use so I'm going to bring the heater, food and water and set a smaller brooder there and check in on him every now and then - and he'll be in a car with heating on to stay nice and warm

It looks normal to me. Sometimes ducklings get too much in their mouth and they do spit out food. What type of container do you have for his water?