Thread formerly known as Hatch day is today

[Kevin565]

I'm not sure if two of my ducklings are going to be okay.

The first and last born ducklings are both very weak. Even the ducklings with foot deformities are more lively than them.

They basically just lay with their heads down most of the time and don't have the energy. I pick them up and hold them by the drinker that is filled with vitamin water and they do drink a few sips here and there.

The thing that worries me most, is that it is now going to be almost 2 and a half days and the duckling that was born first still has no desire to eat. Honestly, even if he could, he is too weak to eat. I have the vitamin supplement in liquid form so I had my dad hold his beak open and I dripped a very tiny little drop into his mouth. He swallowed it, but still continues to rest.

His feet are somewhat smaller than all of the others. They are lively and play, while he just doesn't have the energy.

I feel like I'm doing everything in my power to help him, but maybe in a way I am just prolonging the inevitable? It's a gloomy thought to think about and it makes me sick to my stomach. I should really be more used to it living on a farm for 18 years, but I just have a really strong bond with these 11 ducklings seeing as I had to rescue them when they were still eggs.

Anything else I can do?!

-Dominic

You're doing everything you possibly could. Quite a few of my birds were rather sluggish as babies but grew into active adult birds. However, we must remember it's the quality of life not the quantity. Even if some birds only get to be with us for a few days it does not make their time with us any less special or their life any less meaningful. They will have had a life full of love from both you and their siblings. Which is more than anyone could ask for.

 

[dominicsaturday]

Thanks for the kind words.

I am so worked up over this.

I'll continue hoping for the best for the little guys and give you guys an update in the morning.

 

[Kevin565]

It's very normal to get attached to your birds especially waterfowl. Everyone here deeply cares about all of their animals and I'm sure we've all missed plenty of sleep up worried about our birds at one point or another. Hopefully everyone will be fine and maybe you'll even see improvements tomorrow morning

 

[Marty1876]

I'm not sure if two of my ducklings are going to be okay.

The first and last born ducklings are both very weak. Even the ducklings with foot deformities are more lively than them.

They basically just lay with their heads down most of the time and don't have the energy. I pick them up and hold them by the drinker that is filled with vitamin water and they do drink a few sips here and there.

The thing that worries me most, is that it is now going to be almost 2 and a half days and the duckling that was born first still has no desire to eat. Honestly, even if he could, he is too weak to eat. I have the vitamin supplement in liquid form so I had my dad hold his beak open and I dripped a very tiny little drop into his mouth. He swallowed it, but still continues to rest.

His feet are somewhat smaller than all of the others. They are lively and play, while he just doesn't have the energy.

I feel like I'm doing everything in my power to help him, but maybe in a way I am just prolonging the inevitable? It's a gloomy thought to think about and it makes me sick to my stomach. I should really be more used to it living on a farm for 18 years, but I just have a really strong bond with these 11 ducklings seeing as I had to rescue them when they were still eggs.

Anything else I can do?!

-Dominic

No. Some ducklings insist on dying. Don't give too much vitamin water, it can only do so much anyway. IF they refuse to eat, there are issues with the digestive tract. I'm sorry, but I've seen this before. I'd say keep them away from the others, just cause you don't want the others using up what energy they have, just in case something changes for them.

Are you ok?

 

[dominicsaturday]

Well, I went over to check on him and he died.

No more breathing. Just a limp duckling. I sat down for a little bit and cried.

I'm and 18 year old boy crying over a duckling. It's sad.

Yes, I will be okay eventually. I just hope the other one I am worried about will make it. The rest are all happy and healthy.

I'm calling it a night.

-Dominic

 

[Kevin565]

So sorry for your loss Dominic. He's in a better place now.

 

[Goin Quackrrs]

I went to TSC and got the vitamins for the duckies.

The second to last guy born has some serious issues/deformities with his feet

He is lively and has such a sweet demeanor but his lower half is very weak/not developed.

His one leg is a little bigger than the other, it sticks out to the side. I used some medical tape to move the two back towards each other. He is laying with the group now and pecking away, but he also appears to be a little smaller than the rest of them.

11 ducklings are out and alive. I am happy they all hatched, but has anyone else ever experienced deformities/developmental issues at birth? This makes me so sad

Sounds like slipped tendon to me. I've seen this before with pekins at hatch.

I had a runner duckling in my first hatch that I tried for a week to correct a leg deformity in. It didn't end well. I'm just thankful it's the only one I've had to deal with in that manner.

I also had a duckling hatch with a malformed vent once. These things happen from time to time.

Can you post a photo of the duckling with the bad leg? Is the leg larger at the joint?

Is it all the way backwards? If so it could be Slipped Tendon. Which you can fix if caught early. The toes sounds like curled toes which is also fixable if caught early.

x2

I'm so sorry about all the baby duck troubles. I've also just lost my two giant Peking babies, but its because my 6-year old stuffed weeds and grasses into their brooder, and the pigged out on them. When I found them both dead in the morning, I immediately knew who to ask.

I think viruses effecting the neural pathways can kill entire groups of young vulnerable ducklings like that. So can toxins in their food, from fecal matter, or dirty bowls, or contaminated grains. Sometimes a vitamin deficiency can mimic those symptoms too.

Some ducklings are lame, and others start out with foot issues from odd egg placements. I've had ducklings recover in 3 days or less, and others never recover. I'd give it a little swim in warm water, and see if its able to use the leg properly if its not having to support the ducklings weight. That may give you some useful information about the nature of the problem.

Morning everyone

I'm so sorry about your pekin babies!

Good morning everybody
GUESS WHAT!!! I woke up this morning to find a HUGE pip on my Indian Runner duck egg! I am so excited! I heard him peep yesterday as well

I can't wait for my little baby!

Sadly the only other Indian Runner duck egg looks to have a late dead baby

All of the veins have disappeared, there is no movement whatsoever and he looks to be much to small for 26 days along.... I can see right through parts of the egg It's not looking good for him.

On a different note the Muscovy duckies are doing great! They are due to hatch in about 10 days

I am really sorry to hear that so many people are having bad hatches My regards and I hope everything turns out well

Happy Hatching Everybody!

Happy hatching! I've got one more hatch until the incubators go into storage for a while. Need a break.

Well, I went over to check on him and he died.
No more breathing. Just a limp duckling. I sat down for a little bit and cried.
I'm and 18 year old boy crying over a duckling. It's sad.
Yes, I will be okay eventually. I just hope the other one I am worried about will make it. The rest are all happy and healthy.
I'm calling it a night.
-Dominic

I'm sorry about your duckling. Don't ever be ashamed of crying, it shows your humanity and you should never be embarassed to care about another living being.

 

[dominicsaturday]

How do I get his tendon back into place?!

I have him taped up to fix his curled toes and taped between the legs to fix his spraddle.

My other little guy didn't make it through the night.

So, the first and last ducklings are dead

Everyone in between is high in spirit and eating well. I have to help the one with the goofy legs eat, but other than his one leg, he is a happy little guy!

 

[Kevin565]

How do I get his tendon back into place?!

I have him taped up to fix his curled toes and taped between the legs to fix his spraddle.

My other little guy didn't make it through the night.

So, the first and last ducklings are dead

Everyone in between is high in spirit and eating well. I have to help the one with the goofy legs eat, but other than his one leg, he is a happy little guy!

Sorry about the other one

. For the tendon you have to kind of pop back in with your finger to straighten it out then brace it.

 

[dominicsaturday]

I didn't pop anything.

How do you pop it back in?

Here are some pictures of what I made for him.

Also, maybe someone with experience in this could call me via phone so we can explain this easier if you are not too busy?