Thread formerly known as Hatch day is today

[70%cocoa]

Ok - do you have an eye dropper? If so, try this. In your bathroom, turn the shower on (hot) to steam it up and create a warm atmosphere. Take Bigfoot out of the bator and into the bathroom. Using the eye dropper, gently run warm water over his eyes. Don't touch the eye dropper to him, just the water. This is a gentle method that will hopefully wash away any gunk. It has worked for me in exactly the same situation.

If you don't have an eye dropper, what about a syringe (no needle)? (gotta make sure you don't accidently blast a jet of water onto his eyes though). Practice on your hand first.

If you don't have an eye dropper or a syringe then try a kleenex well moistened with warm water. At first, very gently draw the corner of the wet kleenex across his eyes to get the worst off. Once that has freed things up just drip warm water from the kleenex across his eyes. You don't want to touch anything to his eyes once they start to open or you might abrade his eyeball.

The eye dropper method is best. Give it a good rinse out first.

 

[GrannyCarol]

Edit: I missed where he's so weak. Sorry about that. Don't give up though, keep him in the incubator and let him rest, he may surprise you yet.

Also the method of dripping warm water over the gunky eyes is good, but don't disturb him or the incubator too much while he's laboring to survive. His eyes could probably wait, he needs to rest and hopefully will get stronger. They are awfully weak when they hatch, even when it goes well.

For the eyes, I'd soak a cotton ball with warm water and gently moisten the eyelid, then wipe it off. Should work fine.

Mine never quite dry out in the incubator, too much humidity, but when they are up and around, strong and lively, I put them in the brooder. You might give him a stuffed animal for company if he's an "only". Also look around on Craig's list to see if anyone else has a day old duckling you could get to keep him company - I'd go for three total so they won't be lonely.

 

[70%cocoa]

QuackerJack, I hope he comes good. All you can do is wait. If his top half is out and he is breathing then at least he can rest and gather strength. Fingers are all crossed for you.

 

[stillmecle]

Started out with 5. Two of them didn't even make it to the air sac. Two made it through air sac but died before making it out. And I have Big Foot now.

 

[bayyjayy]

C'mon, Big Foot!


My heart is just a-pounding!

 

[stillmecle]

I can't take him out because he is still attached to his shell. I think I will try the cotton ball and water.

Quacker....are you singing to him? You have to sing to him.

 

[70%cocoa]

No probs - I agree with GrannyCarol that the eyes are not a priority.

 

[stillmecle]

Quacker? Where are you?

 

[QuackerJackFarms]

He is just so tired. I left him in there too long.

 

[QuackerJackFarms]

Leave the rest of the shell. That's my 2 cents. Once his front half is out, that's all you can do. Let him sit and gather strength. Let him finish absorbing everything.

I have to go read the rest and get caught up now!