weak baby duckling

[fawne]

First let me state that I do not believe in helping birds hatch from their eggs. I do not do this because I believe that they are stronger if they hatch themselves. However this duckling is very important to me. The reason being that its mother was hit by a car and she is blind in one eye. She has laid only this egg and I am hoping that it survives and prospers to continue her blood line.

So the duckling was about 5 days late when I began to notice that it was trying to make its way out of the egg. I did not try to help it at the time. It had been 48 hours after it made the initial hole in the egg that I became very concerned that the duckling was stuck and that it may not be able to make its way out of the egg itself.

After careful thought and consideration I began to help the duck hatch itself. I noted that the shell was extremely hard. Though it had been in the incubator it was so hard that I had to use some tweezers to help it outside of the shell.

The baby duckling which was still alive and appeared to be fighting was carefully removed from the shell. None of the membrane was moved, or touched whatsoever. The duckling was then placed in the incubator. It still had some fluid around it and i did not touch, nor break the fluid.

6 hours later the ducking has absorbed the fluid (not sure how it did that) and all of the fluid that was there is gone. It is now sitting in the incubator flailing its feet and legs but is not standing up.

I am warming the brooder in the sites of placing it in there. However I am very scared that it will not survive.

Anyone ever do this? Have any suggestions on the matter?

Regards,
Nicole

 

[Wolfpack]

When I have a duck hatch in the incubator-with my help or without- I leave it on a papertowel (so it doesnt get beek or toe stuck) they are left on the try for 1day. They seem to get more strengh that way. When they hold their head up well then I will transfer them to my homemade brooder with a heat lamp. Sometimes their feet are weird, almost as if spraddle leg but not. That goes away in a day or two.
Hope that helps :
Katheryn

 

[fawne]

I have never hatched a baby duck before. I have only ever hatched cocketiels. I used to raise them. Right now the bird is alive and it does raise its head on its own but not for long, then it puts its head back down. It is laying on the floor of the brooder sprawling its legs out. The cord of the ambilical is still partly there. It is chirping and appears mostly healthy. I am worried that the brooders light is not enough for it to be warm because the thermometer broke last night by accident. However it has been enough to dry the amniotic fluid that was in its hair. I have no idea at what stage they begin eating chick starter but I am going to place some in there with a dish of water. I did not think that this duck would make it at all and have never in my life seen such a small duck. The weather here has been getting warm so I do not suspect that the bird will be cold however I am going to get a thermometer today. As I live very far in the country and sometimes it is hard to get out. If someone could clue me into what I should be expecting with the feeding that would be very helpful.
Regards,
Nicole

 

[Miss Lydia]

I have never hatched a baby duck before. I have only ever hatched cocketiels. I used to raise them. Right now the bird is alive and it does raise its head on its own but not for long, then it puts its head back down. It is laying on the floor of the brooder sprawling its legs out. The cord of the ambilical is still partly there. It is chirping and appears mostly healthy. I am worried that the brooders light is not enough for it to be warm because the thermometer broke last night by accident. However it has been enough to dry the amniotic fluid that was in its hair. I have no idea at what stage they begin eating chick starter but I am going to place some in there with a dish of water. I did not think that this duck would make it at all and have never in my life seen such a small duck. The weather here has been getting warm so I do not suspect that the bird will be cold however I am going to get a thermometer today. As I live very far in the country and sometimes it is hard to get out. If someone could clue me into what I should be expecting with the feeding that would be very helpful.
Regards,
Nicole

Usually 24 hrs after hatch offer feed,and water . May eat or drink anytime in between,. Chick starter crumbles moistened with a little warm water may be enough to get it started.
Hatching is exhausting so they usually just lay around for the first day or 2. Make sure to offer water along with food and when you go out pick up some save a chick to ad to it's water, it will help give it an extra boost. The cord will dry up and fall off. also be sure what you off the water in that the lil duckling can't get into and possibly drown. Good luck! https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/750869/raising-and-caring-for-ducklings#post_10611711

 

[fawne]

thanks very much

 

[ccfalcons15]

hi. I'm new to the site and I have a baby mallard duck that I saved. It was getting attacked by all the other ducks. So I got it and brought it home. It eats and drinks without being forced. But lately it sprawls out its one leg now and doesn't use that same leg to swim. It stands only to clean itself but it walks a couple of feet then plops back on the ground. I hate to see it suffer. I wanted to see what was wrong to maybe help him and fix his leg. Do you's have any idea?

 

[Wolfpack]

Sorry I dont get on that often. For the hurt leg, I have had great luck with all ducks just restricting movement. And giving save-a-chick in the water. Usually 3days to just over a week and they are rested and healed. What I mean is li ck them in a cage with food and water. I had a duckling maybe 2 weeks that was hatched by moma and out with the other ducks when my dog decided to play squeeky toy with it it romped around and followed moma for 3 days around the yard. Wasnt getting better so I locked moma and the other baby in the pen and fed them there for maybe just over a week. Took days until I noticed a difference. Duckling runs around all over now.

 

[Wolfpack]

Btw I did not let them swim. Just what they could do with the shallow water dish. They have to rest the leg.it is probably like a sprain.

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

Btw I did not let them swim. Just what they could do with the shallow water dish. They have to rest the leg.it is probably like a sprain.

Or the duckling needs Niacin! (Found in Sav-a-Chick, that plus Dumor Feed is what I would start ASAP)