BoonesBirds
In the Brooder
- Apr 7, 2024
- 7
- 2
- 12
This little guy hatched on Saturday with my assistance and I immediately noticed the strangely shaped bill and face. I suspect the bill was the main issue as to why the duckling was unable to pip. It struggles to walk and is very wobbly, but was improving each day. I think it also hatched premature because it is half the size of a normal duckling.
I’m determined to help this little guy pull through but he struggles to eat, and today he seems much more lethargic. Drinking water is no problem though. I’ve tried to sprinkle crumbles in front of the duckling which worked initially, but now it seems too lethargic to notice. It seems to have trouble coordinating where to peck at the crumbles sometimes so I’ve been hand feeding it for the past few days. Even so, it has not been eating enough food on its own and seems to be struggling today. There was a tiny bit of food in the poop this morning but now it is runny and white.
Is there anything I can do to help encourage it to eat? I’ve tried adding water to the crumbles and putting food in the bill but the poor thing just shakes the food out and won’t eat it. I’m going to be really bummed if he doesn’t make it because he was doing well aside from not eating much and I’ve grown attached to it. I’ve read some articles on tube feeding but the duckling is just so small that I don’t know if that would be doable. I’ve attached some pictures for reference.
I’m determined to help this little guy pull through but he struggles to eat, and today he seems much more lethargic. Drinking water is no problem though. I’ve tried to sprinkle crumbles in front of the duckling which worked initially, but now it seems too lethargic to notice. It seems to have trouble coordinating where to peck at the crumbles sometimes so I’ve been hand feeding it for the past few days. Even so, it has not been eating enough food on its own and seems to be struggling today. There was a tiny bit of food in the poop this morning but now it is runny and white.
Is there anything I can do to help encourage it to eat? I’ve tried adding water to the crumbles and putting food in the bill but the poor thing just shakes the food out and won’t eat it. I’m going to be really bummed if he doesn’t make it because he was doing well aside from not eating much and I’ve grown attached to it. I’ve read some articles on tube feeding but the duckling is just so small that I don’t know if that would be doable. I’ve attached some pictures for reference.
