Unabsorbed egg yolk, what to do

[ChickenMom04]

One of my ducklings from a broody hen hatched a little too soon and has a small bit of unabsorbed egg yolk. The mama got off the nest so I picked the baby up and took it inside the barn and set it up in a brooder so it would stay warm. (I did not return the duckling to the broody hen as she was messing too much with the unabsorbed yolk. I will return her when the duckling is healthy) the unabsorbed yolk is just barley there, it looks as if it’s just finishing up absorbing all the way. I put some poultry wound spray on the bump and the baby is resting and every now and then tries to sit up or peeps. Is it normal for the duckling to open its mouth every now and then when absorbing the yolk? Other than that she seems energetic, she’s wobbly but I assume this is only because she hatched an hour or two ago. There is a small amount of water in her nostrils, and I think this is because a droplet landed on her beak when I was keeping her egg membrane moist before she had hatched. It doesn’t seem to be an issue however and I have been wiping her beak when I notice any bit of water. Any help is appreciated.

 

[JaeG]

It sounds like you are doing all the right things. They do yawn/gape at each contraction that pulls the yolk inside their abdomen. Hopefully your baby will recover soon and can be reunited with its family.

 

[ChickenMom04]

It sounds like you are doing all the right things. They do yawn/gape at each contraction that pulls the yolk inside their abdomen. Hopefully your baby will recover soon and can be reunited with its family.

she's begun trying to walk, although it's a bit wobbly. she will also peep if you peep at her or make noise, and she tries her best to move about. she hasn't been able to stand fully, as in; her butt being lifted and all weight on her legs, but she's trying. her egg yolk is a small bump on her rear, and I would assume it should be gone overnight. to be safe I offered her a few drops of water in a small lid and was careful not to dip her nostrils in. she swallowed it normally, and she hasn't had any water coming from her nose in a while. when should I start actually feeding/giving her water? as of now she doesnt seem in control enough to eat, but little sips of water seems to be okay as long as I assist. I know she can survive off the absorbed yolk for a while, but how long? I also have Sav-A-Chick probiotics that I could mix in her water if necessary.


-I posted somewhere else about her foaming at the mouth, but since it happened it hasnt happened again. any idea what that may have been about?

 

[JaeG]

she's begun trying to walk, although it's a bit wobbly. she will also peep if you peep at her or make noise, and she tries her best to move about. she hasn't been able to stand fully, as in; her butt being lifted and all weight on her legs, but she's trying. her egg yolk is a small bump on her rear, and I would assume it should be gone overnight. to be safe I offered her a few drops of water in a small lid and was careful not to dip her nostrils in. she swallowed it normally, and she hasn't had any water coming from her nose in a while. when should I start actually feeding/giving her water? as of now she doesnt seem in control enough to eat, but little sips of water seems to be okay as long as I assist. I know she can survive off the absorbed yolk for a while, but how long? I also have Sav-A-Chick probiotics that I could mix in her water if necessary.


-I posted somewhere else about her foaming at the mouth, but since it happened it hasnt happened again. any idea what that may have been about?

I'm not sure about the foaming at the mouth as I haven't experienced that before but if that's stopped then I wouldn't worry too much. I think ducklings can go as long as 3 days without food, so I wouldn't rush it. Just let her recover - they are always exhausted after they hatch.

 

[ChickenMom04]

I'm not sure about the foaming at the mouth as I haven't experienced that before but if that's stopped then I wouldn't worry too much. I think ducklings can go as long as 3 days without food, so I wouldn't rush it. Just let her recover - they are always exhausted after they hatch.

Sadly she passed away last night. I have no idea what happened. Yesterday she was active, peeping like crazy, even trying to run around. I gave her some electrolytes and she sipped a few drops. At 1am she was the same, active and happy. Then I woke up this morning and she was dead on her back. Any idea why? No injuries or anything. I have a feeling she was the only egg that’s gonna hatch. It’s very sad to see that she died after being seemingly okay.

 

[JaeG]

I'm so sorry, but you did all that you could. It's always tough to lose babies, especially when they've needed extra attention.

It's most likely that in some way she didn't develop quite right during incubation.

 

[Kassim]

Please what is the root cause of the yolk being unabsorbed. Could it be attributed to a natural cause or some action can be taken to prevent the occurrence.
I have occasional experience with the egg yolk but the frequency of the protruded yolk is getting worse. I have incubated 30 chicken about four have hatched with the problem.

 

[ChickenMom04]

Please what is the root cause of the yolk being unabsorbed. Could it be attributed to a natural cause or some action can be taken to prevent the occurrence.
I have occasional experience with the egg yolk but the frequency of the protruded yolk is getting worse. I have incubated 30 chicken about four have hatched with the problem.

It can’t be prevented really. Absorbing the yolk is a process that happens before hatch, but sometimes it isn’t completely finished. If you assist in hatch, that may be the cause, and you may be helping too early. Usually it goes away on its own as long as it isn’t too bad and other health issues arent present.