Unabsorbed yolk

[rosemary10]

hey everyone!
My Muscovy ducklings are finally hatching! But I'm letting it be all natural, so they have a real mom! I've been checking in every now and then and I've noticed many of them are hatching without fully absorbing their yolk... I've read stories where they say it will be fine but also some where they say it'll get infected and they will die... please help!

 

[Miss Lydia]

It should absorb the rest of the way. Only thing I can think of since they are with mama is keep them on as clean of bedding as you can.

@WVduckchick @casportpony

 

[casportpony]

When mine hatch like that I very carefully clean the area with chlorhexadine and saline then place them in a very clean brooder until they are done absorbing, which is usually 24-48 hours.

How many hatched like that?

 

[rosemary10]

When mine hatch like that I very carefully clean the area with chlorhexadine and saline then place them in a very clean brooder until they are done absorbing, which is usually 24-48 hours.

How many hatched like that?

I haven't had luck with this hatch, I've had four hatch and all have had this problem... I don't know what's wrong with them. I don't have a brooder because I always just let my hens hatch out their babies and they do just fine. This is the first time I've had a problem

 

[WVduckchick]

Is momma keeping them in a nest box or something? Maybe lay a clean towel under them?
The concern is infection, and also them ripping it open. It won't take long for it to draw in, but until it does, there is some risk.

 

[casportpony]

So sorry you're having this problem. You could try making sure the nest is clean like @Miss Lydia, suggested.

@WVduckchick, what would you do? Never mind, I see you posted.

 

[WVduckchick]

So sorry you're having this problem. You could try making sure the nest is clean like @Miss Lydia, suggested.

@WVduckchick, what would you do? Never mind, I see you posted.

Wow, that was weird. I was typing my reply when your edit magically appeared in my editor box! lol

 

[rosemary10]

Is momma keeping them in a nest box or something? Maybe lay a clean towel under them?
The concern is infection, and also them ripping it open. It won't take long for it to draw in, but until it does, there is some risk.

So sorry you're having this problem. You could try making sure the nest is clean like @Miss Lydia, suggested.

@WVduckchick, what would you do? Never mind, I see you posted.

Yes, she has them on her nest away from the rest of the flock. I will put some clean bedding underneath her and rub some antibiotic ointment on it. She still has 13 eggs to hatch so I'm hoping they start getting better!!!!!

 

[WVduckchick]

That's a large number of eggs. Could be part of the issue when they can't cover them all perfectly, and maybe have trouble turning them all enough. But hopefully they all do well, and you'll have a big bunch of babies!!

 

[rosemary10]

That's a large number of eggs. Could be part of the issue when they can't cover them all perfectly, and maybe have trouble turning them all enough. But hopefully they all do well, and you'll have a big bunch of babies!!

Bigger problem now, so I have three broody ducks, two of them sit across from each other. When these babies started hatching the mom from the other nest decided she wanted these babies instead so they both were sitting on the nest. So I moved her eggs to the nest and now it's combined. Well.... now the new mom decided she wanted to kick the original mom off her own nest and then decided she doesn't want any babies. So now I have one big nest without any mom and ducklings that have their egg sacks not completely absorbed. Today is shaping up to be horrible