- Oct 3, 2010
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This is about a duckling.
I was expecting the hatch day to be Friday at the earliest, but more likely Saturday. Well, i had one pip Wednesday and hatch today (Thursday)! WOW! I think the early arrival may be part of the issue.
The duckling seems healthy - moving, alert, peeping.
BUT the problem seems to be with the little one's leg. He'll put weight on it (I've held him). He moves it. But he keeps falling to the side, then he ends up on his back struggling and spinning in a circle. Seems to appreciate it when I hold him upright. He then moves his head around, etc. Seems relaxed when I hold him.
It's like he can't keep his balance or he's lopsided. The issue seems to be his right leg though.
Do I need to do anything? Do I keep holding him so he can bear weight on it? Should I find a small cup or something or egg carton to try to set him - again so he can be upright and bearing weight on his leg?
I've read of spraddling in chickens and figure it can apply to ducks. Thinking this, I put a band-aid around his legs, separated by the pad of the bandaid. This really just seemed to add to the little guy's problems. Maybe this is what I need to do but leave it on (I removed it because he ended up on his back with his feet in the air)? How long would I leave it on?
I'm hoping it would just rest and gain some strength but I just can't get it to sleep. He acted like he might if I held him long enough, though. I'm about to go to bed and taking him to bed with me isn't a good idea!
Any help would be appreciated!!!!
I was expecting the hatch day to be Friday at the earliest, but more likely Saturday. Well, i had one pip Wednesday and hatch today (Thursday)! WOW! I think the early arrival may be part of the issue.
The duckling seems healthy - moving, alert, peeping.
BUT the problem seems to be with the little one's leg. He'll put weight on it (I've held him). He moves it. But he keeps falling to the side, then he ends up on his back struggling and spinning in a circle. Seems to appreciate it when I hold him upright. He then moves his head around, etc. Seems relaxed when I hold him.
It's like he can't keep his balance or he's lopsided. The issue seems to be his right leg though.
Do I need to do anything? Do I keep holding him so he can bear weight on it? Should I find a small cup or something or egg carton to try to set him - again so he can be upright and bearing weight on his leg?
I've read of spraddling in chickens and figure it can apply to ducks. Thinking this, I put a band-aid around his legs, separated by the pad of the bandaid. This really just seemed to add to the little guy's problems. Maybe this is what I need to do but leave it on (I removed it because he ended up on his back with his feet in the air)? How long would I leave it on?
I'm hoping it would just rest and gain some strength but I just can't get it to sleep. He acted like he might if I held him long enough, though. I'm about to go to bed and taking him to bed with me isn't a good idea!
Any help would be appreciated!!!!
