premature duckling! what do I do?

Muscovy Owner

In the Brooder
Jul 15, 2017
10
9
44
Seattle
So I have Muscovys but one of the eggs prematurely hatched. we kept the little guy inside and let him absorb his yolk and detach from the membrane. It's been about 4 days since he was inside and I've been giving him vitamins and water and he's still not walking. I'm wondering when I should expect him to get his strength. I also have duckling feed mixed with water. as of now he just sleeps and occasionally wakes up and lets out a chirp. any suggestions?
 
:welcome How many days was it in the egg? Is it eating? Pooping? What temperature is your brooder? I've seen them take a day or two but 4 seems rather long. Does it have strength in its legs? Sorry for all of the questions.
 
:welcome How many days was it in the egg? Is it eating? Pooping? What temperature is your brooder? I've seen them take a day or two but 4 seems rather long. Does it have strength in its legs? Sorry for all of the questions.
it was in the egg for 30 days, its drinking and occasionally eating, Ive been keeping him at 80 degrees. he kicks and fidgets but other than that he just sleeps and he doesnt poop because the vein going into him has not fully healed
 
these are the pics
 

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Your heat is too low. I'm not saying this is the reason, but it should be 90 for the first week and then decrease by 5 degrees each week. It's a beautiful baby. Can it sit up or hold its head up at all? Is it opening its eyes? There could be something wrong if it was a premature hatch but the yolk sac looks absorbed and the naval looks good. Has it been 4 days since he dried off?
I'm dealing with a little one who hatched yesterday that I found smack dab in the middle of the duck pen this morning all by itself. He is slowly coming around with electrolytes, sugar water and me trying to hold him up and put weight on it.
The vein/umbilical has nothing to do with pooping. I'm having major computer probs so hopefully you'll hear from the others soon.
@casportpony @WVduckchick
@learycow
 
Your heat is too low. I'm not saying this is the reason, but it should be 90 for the first week and then decrease by 5 degrees each week. It's a beautiful baby. Can it sit up or hold its head up at all? Is it opening its eyes? There could be something wrong if it was a premature hatch but the yolk sac looks absorbed and the naval looks good. Has it been 4 days since he dried off?
I'm dealing with a little one who hatched yesterday that I found smack dab in the middle of the duck pen this morning all by itself. He is slowly coming around with electrolytes, sugar water and me trying to hold him up and put weight on it.
The vein/umbilical has nothing to do with pooping. I'm having major computer probs so hopefully you'll hear from the others soon.
@casportpony @WVduckchick
Well just yesterday is when we started giving him vitamins and washed him off, the naval is still a bit bloody and healing. but yes, I will up the temperature, I'm wondering if thats why he doesnt perk up. he can pull his head up but not really hold it there.
 
Muscovy hatchlings are very sensitive to temperatures. Let's hope that is all it is:fl A little dab of Betadine on the naval would be helpful in drying it up.
 
What I have done is dip the navel in corn starch and put the Duckling into a Kleenex lined sour cream container and kept it in the Incubator with no water in it...They either absorb the yolk and survive or sadly they die...So far I have not lost one...The trick is to keep the umbilical dry and clean...Do not force water or food on the Duckling...
Best wishes....
 

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