so I got this duckling..URGENT!..he passed away :(

[Ducklove334]

i have this little duckling lying on my lap right now, who's a few hours old, it isn't trying to walk, or holding it's head up, and i think, but am not sure that it's blind in either one, or both eyes, it doesn't respond to movement.

this is Sage,my tiny blue swedishes biological baby, but she didn't hatch it. it was hatched (sort of

) under a muscovy and two indian runners. everything was fine yesterday morning, both swedish eggs had externally pipped, but by afternoon I checked again to find that one of the eggs had hatched, but the baby crushed todeath, the other egg, one of the ducks had pulled ALL of the shell off the membrane, leaving only a tattered membrane lying in the nest with this baby with yolk still outside the body.

so I brought it in, and wrapped it in a warm wet wash rag and stuck it in the bator, well after about 3 hours all it's yolk absorbed, but it's belly button still looks...puffy?..I kept it wrapped up all last night, I noticed then that it really wasn't trying to hold it' head up, and would shake if you held it's head up for it.

this morning, while it's peeping, and looking around with it's eyes, it still can't hol it's head up, and still convulses if you try to.

here are some pics if that helps anyone

ALSO, how can I get him to eat/drink??

I've always wanted something special needs, but I didn't mean literally!

 

[tiffanyh]

I dont have any direct advise, but your instincts sound right on so far. Good job.

I worked at a certified vet tech fo rmany years, kittens and puppies in those conditions got sugar water, either by mouth or IV< but since duck absorb the yolk, your little guy shouldnt really need it. I dont think that or electrolytes would hurt though.

I would keep him warm and hope for the best.

 

[ChickBond 007]

I would try Poly-Vi-Sol drops, as you would with any struggling chick. Best of luck with this one.

 

[tonini3059]

This usually helps me out when I hatch my calls and they are tired and weak.


Hard boil an egg..beat the egg whites and some sugar and electrolytes in a little bit of water. I usually use a small spoon and pry the ducklings mouth open and shut it on the spoon and tilt it back so it has to drink some.

Good luck!!

 

[Ducklove334]

I gave him alittle bit of sugar water about an hour ago, he's doing alittle better, he can hold his head up now,sorta LOL

maybe he's just a late starter cause of the trauma? I dunno

 

[MysticScorpio82]

Quote:
I am sure the engery boost from the sugar helped him out. I am hoping for the best!!

 

[Wifezilla]

He was a preemie. It will take him a bit to catch up, but it sounds like you are doing the right things.

 

[Ducklove334]

he's trying so hard LOL

he's trying to walk, I got a video of his shakey movements, they remind me of "baby" wobbles, but he should be out of that by now.

what do y'all think??

View My Video

I'm hoping that he will tame up my Cayuga duckling that is the same age from ideal.

 

[froggie71]

We had a duckling hatch from a bator that came out with yolk still attached. Took a bit to absorb it and then it kept flopping over to the side. I had so seperate from the others because it was getting trampled. I gave it sugar water and time and slowly the duckling was just fine. Right now running around with the other 3 ducklings we kept out in the duck house with the adults. Good luck to you and your ducklings. I'm sure he/she will be just fine.

 

[mamanaturale]

we had to help out little poppy hatch. i was so scared he wasn't going to make it because it took him days to perk up! it took almost 2 days for the yolk to absorb and another 2-3 days before i really thought he might be fine. and when he started walking he seems really floppy, like drunk almost. i think a hard hatch like that just makes them really weak. poppy didn't eat for at least three days after hatch and probably drank on his own on day 2ish (after the yolk was absorbed) . i think you are doing all the right things.