weak duckling - what to do?

[mizzhoneybee]

Hi I am a first time duck mama. I've hatched three Indian Runner ducklings in my classroom and the third one is not doing as well as the other two. It had a really hard time hatching and after 24 hours of it being stuck I decided to help. I know there are mixed reviews on helping, but I figured either I help it out and it dies or I leave it in and it dies so... I helped. Now I have it alone in the incubator staying warm, it appears to still be weak and tired (naturally!). although, it has moved and flopped around quite a bit and raises it's head up. So I feel like it will eventually get it's strength but I'm wondering what I should do to help it along. I feel bad that it's all alone and I have to leave it in the classroom over night to boot. I don't think it's ready to be in the brooder with the other 2 day olds.

Will it be ok with them once I introduce tomorrow? I'm worried they'll push it around.
Also, should I feed it medicated food?
If so, what kind and how do I separate it from the others to feed it special?
Should I leave water with it in the incubator overnight? In a shallow dish? Perhaps I'll try to give some water before I go home.

Any advice would be great on how to boost this little one's energy and keep it going.

Thanks so much!

 

[casportpony]

Welcome to BYC.

What temp is the incubator at now?

-Kathy

 

[mizzhoneybee]

98 degrees

 

[casportpony]

I find that to be too warm for mine and that they will become dehydrated very quickly at that temp. @amiga has a book, and I think it recommends 95, maybe even less. Any chance you can take it to a vet?

-Kathy

 

[casportpony]

Forgot to ask... Have you seen it poop yet?

-Kathy

 

[mizzhoneybee]

yes it has pooped.
i was concerned about the heat too and thought about putting in a separate bin with a heat lamp before I left school. i was worried about it being left open and alone though and thought it would be safer inside something. the thing is that i have other eggs in the incubator that i'm hoping might still hatch, kind of doubtful though, as it's pretty late. so i don't want to change the incubator temp. i gave it some water before i left and it drank a little. maybe i should go back and put it in a separate bin after all? i don't know what is best...maybe i should just bring it home to watch it.

 

[mizzhoneybee]

ok i'm going to bring it home to watch it. in regards to my other questions:

should i feed it medicated food and if yes, which kind?
and do i need to do anything special when i introduce it to the other stronger ones? should i not? or wait longer? i know they are social so I don't want to keep it alone for too long. probably just tonight.

thanks so much for your help!

 

[Amiga]

Ducklings are supposed to be at 90F for their first week in the brooder, according to Storey's Guide.

Ducklings do not require medicated food. I used a turkey-waterfowl starter and added a little chopped dried rolled oats (not instant) to reduce the protein percentage a little bit to line up with Storey's Guide recommendations.

 

[mizzhoneybee]

ok thanks.

now i'm noticing that when it peeps, fluid is coming out of its nares. and it tends to shake it's wings a lot in a shivering sort of way. i am keeping it warm but i worry about the quivering and fluid. i'm nervous to put it with the others if it's sick. any advice?

 

[casportpony]

Hard to say what could be causing that. It's possible that it aspirated some fluid when it hatched. Is it drinking? Is it active?

-Kathy