Thread formerly known as Hatch day is today

[Kevin565]

From the pics it looks like it's more likely splayed leg rather than slipped tendon. Does the top part of the look out of place at all? If it is splayed leg then it looks like you've already done the correct treatment to start healing process.

 

[dominicsaturday]

I have a small stryrofoam block in between his legs. They are taped.

I have a hard time keeping his feet to stay flat underneath him. He wants to always put them behind him. I'm trying to keep him in this position.

How long should I keep him in this position and will it affect him. If he has to poop I'm not sure if the block will be in his way.

With help, he eats like he should, so I'm not worried about him like I was worried about the other two who died (they wouldn't even eat).

So I'm down to 9 ducklings. Two need a lot of extra TLC. They are currently sleeping in a bowl on my lap as I type this. I hope they can recover.

 

[Kevin565]

Most people on here suggest keeping the bird in that position for 5-7 days. Certain cases require a few extra days just to be safe. It shouldn't affect him in anyway and once the brace is taken off he should be able to walk fine from that point on. If he seems to be pooping on himself you might want to chisel down the block a little bit near his vent area to make sure he doesn't end up with pasty butt.

 

[dominicsaturday]

Thank you so much for your help.

They are both very strong in spirit and my family is assisting me. My mom was up early in the morning helping them eat and drink haha.

I have a lot of hope for these guys. Something must've went wrong while they were in the shell. I've read too high of an incubator temp can cause this?

 

[Kevin565]

It's no problem at all. Ducklings can be a bit fragile when younger but become hardier as they age. Hopefully once you deal with this set of problems you won't have any more

. I *think* leg issues are associated with vitamin deficiencies and sometimes being in a egg to long. However, I don't use bators so one of the other ladies will have to verify that for you.

 

[dominicsaturday]

Both of these guys were in their eggs a lot longer than the others.

He was the second to last duckling to hatch.

 

[Kevin565]

In that case I would defiantly think it would be related to being in the egg too long. Some leg issues can work themselves out without intervention but I personally prefer to try just in case. I've seen too many people wait for certain illnesses to work themselves out and it end up being too late to treat it.

 

[dominicsaturday]

I think these two are going to be okay.

They are eating and drinking, if that means anything.

 

[ChristineR]

Both of these guys were in their eggs a lot longer than the others.

He was the second to last duckling to hatch.

Have you tried letting him swim? I had a duckling that I had to help out of the shell that sounds very much like your duckling. She also had a squished bill. She was upside down in the egg. One of her legs just wanted to go backwards, so she had a very difficult time getting around. She didn't have a slipped tendon and it wasn't really spraddle leg either. I let her swim a few times a day and that quickly strengthened her bad leg.

Swimming may not work for your little guy, but it seems like it's worth giving it a try....

 

[Kevin565]

I think these two are going to be okay.

They are eating and drinking, if that means anything.

That's defiantly a good sign!