Lollybee99
Chirping
8 Day old Aylesbury duckling.
Hello,
To cut a long story short, I had a lone duckling hatch a week ago that was born with an unabsorbed yolk sac and his siblings didn’t make it - they died in the egg. After following the advice of many people on backyard chickens and various websites the duckling is now thriving. He absorbed his yolk sac in 48 hours, his umbilical cord scab fell off in around 4 days and now after 8 days he is almost fully healed. He’s extremely strong and he seems incredibly healthy. He’s chirping, running around and playing with toys. In his first few days he was unable to stand, walk or even lift his head so we were so worried. Now he’s doing great. But unfortunately he’s starting to get a little mucky and as he’s alone due to all his siblings not making it during the hatch I would love to start letting him swim so he can have some fun.
Although, I’ve read that after a protruding belly button due to unabsorbed yolk that you should avoid water until it’s fully healed as water will get in the hole and possibly cause infection leading to sepsis etc. (understandably) Because of this risk we’ve had to give him water to drink at 30 minute intervals ourselves and when he eats instead of leaving water with him so he doesn’t climb in and get his belly wet. (He has plenty of water).
Now after after 8 days his stomach is completely covered in fur (oil glands seem to be working fine) and it’s very difficult to see the hole at all, almost impossible and when you can see it, it’s absolutely tiny. I’m just wondering what your opinions or advice might be. Should I let him swim now that he seems almost completely healed and covered with protective fluff or should I wait a little longer until the tiny, tiny hole in his belly is completely healed so there is no risk of infection? As I just don’t want to take any risks after he’s come this far. We even named him Lucky!
I’m so sorry this post was so long, I just want to make everyone aware of his unique circumstances - and I know he might be a she, we’ve just got into the habit of saying he for some reason!
I’ve attached photos of him below.
I would absolutely love to hear your opinions. As I said he himself is brilliant, just like any normal duckling now, it’s just the tiniest hole worrying me.
Thank you in advance x
Hello,
To cut a long story short, I had a lone duckling hatch a week ago that was born with an unabsorbed yolk sac and his siblings didn’t make it - they died in the egg. After following the advice of many people on backyard chickens and various websites the duckling is now thriving. He absorbed his yolk sac in 48 hours, his umbilical cord scab fell off in around 4 days and now after 8 days he is almost fully healed. He’s extremely strong and he seems incredibly healthy. He’s chirping, running around and playing with toys. In his first few days he was unable to stand, walk or even lift his head so we were so worried. Now he’s doing great. But unfortunately he’s starting to get a little mucky and as he’s alone due to all his siblings not making it during the hatch I would love to start letting him swim so he can have some fun.
Although, I’ve read that after a protruding belly button due to unabsorbed yolk that you should avoid water until it’s fully healed as water will get in the hole and possibly cause infection leading to sepsis etc. (understandably) Because of this risk we’ve had to give him water to drink at 30 minute intervals ourselves and when he eats instead of leaving water with him so he doesn’t climb in and get his belly wet. (He has plenty of water).
Now after after 8 days his stomach is completely covered in fur (oil glands seem to be working fine) and it’s very difficult to see the hole at all, almost impossible and when you can see it, it’s absolutely tiny. I’m just wondering what your opinions or advice might be. Should I let him swim now that he seems almost completely healed and covered with protective fluff or should I wait a little longer until the tiny, tiny hole in his belly is completely healed so there is no risk of infection? As I just don’t want to take any risks after he’s come this far. We even named him Lucky!
I’m so sorry this post was so long, I just want to make everyone aware of his unique circumstances - and I know he might be a she, we’ve just got into the habit of saying he for some reason!
I’ve attached photos of him below.
I would absolutely love to hear your opinions. As I said he himself is brilliant, just like any normal duckling now, it’s just the tiniest hole worrying me.
Thank you in advance x
Welcome to BYC! I sure don't know anything about ducks, but he is so cute! Will it be possible to find him a flock mate at a local farm store or breeder?
Thank you! Unfortunately we haven’t been able to find one as of yet, which is crazy because we live in the countryside! But we are looking. We also weren’t sure if we should wait another week just to prevent any germs from spreading to this little duckling as he was so vulnerable - but now he’s almost better we’re hoping to get him a mate so he has company 
Thank you so much for the support and lovely messages, here in England it’s 12pm so I forget the majority of people are still asleep. 
