Well I woke up this morning to find that 2 of my runner duck eggs had hatched. That's the good part. The bad part is one of them appears to have a bad foot/leg. They are still wet and I have moved them into a brooder to dry off before I fiddle too much with them. The one appears to be trying to stand but the one foot is folded inward and the foot isn't spreading out like the other. It almost looks like his weight is going on the joint above on the leg instead.
Of course it may be too early to tell anything for sure. Maybe I am starting to worry for nothing. My mind is already thinking of trying to splint it somehow.
I will take pics once they are dry etc.... Tonight will be the soonest because of work.
~Julie
Duck trouble
I lied, the foot is bugging me so I managed to snap a quick pic inside the brooder. He's still wet, but he's trying to stand and of course is very wobbly but while this pic sucks quality wise it gives you a good idea of what I am talking about foot wise....
((hope this doesn't show up more than once , my stupid dial up keeps timing out and saying page not found ))
oooh, poor little guy - hope he grows out of it - might consider calling him Tiny Tim.......he sure is cute though.
I popped an d-mail to Cottage_Rose and asked her to look at the pic and give me her professional opinion. She made a very good point saying he's been folded up in an egg and give him 48 hrs before making a call that it's bad....
So it made me feel much better about the whole thing. I want him to be able to get along well enough that the other ducks won't pick on him. He'd be lonely if I had to separate him from the others..... I'm such a worry wart...lol.
~Julie =0)
Julie, he is a cutie. Sounds like Cottage Rose gave you sound advice. Let us know how his little foot turns out...............I'm right with you on the worry wart thing, believe me!
Belinda :-)
So sorry, Julie. I agree that you should wait 48 hours. Is he dry yet? Is he eating?
Kim
Im in agreement with the others! He looks to be a good size fella, so hes probably just all crinked and cramped, Hopefully time will cure all his little ailments! Hes cute no matter what! But Timmy or timberly would be a good ducky name!
Poor little guy. Please keep us posted on how he does. We'll whisper a little prayer for him too. The Lord keeps His eye on the sparrow, you know... ;)
What a difference 24 hrs can make......
I'm soooooooooo relieved. Thanks to everyone for the best wishes !!!
~Julie
They look wonderful! Please keep posting pictures.
Kim
The good news of your little guy's leg and foot just made my morning! You know, it's funny.... Don't ask me why, but I woke up in the middle of the night for a few seconds, right out of a deep sleep, and thought about him. I said a little prayer for him and fell right back to sleep. I know that in the big scheme of life, a little duckling is of no significance. Nevertheless, I'm very thankful today that he'll be fine. :) ....Please give him a little pat on the head for me. :)
Are you going to name him Tim, or have you picked out another name?
~~~ Glenda
YaaaaaaaY!!!!
No wonder he was all bent up in his egg - look how big he is! He's so cute and I'm so glad everything is all right.
I haven't picked any names yet. I am soooooooooo relieved he/she is going to be fine. But I was up half the night thinking about another quandry...
The breeder called me at home last night and asked how many eggs hatched etc. Now he has offerred me 4 free ducklings if I come and pick them up from him. He's only about 90 minutes away. He thinks I should have had a better hatch rate, and I told him I'm happy with my ducklings and he doesn't need to give me anything but he's almost insistent. He also talked about all his other stuff and said I could have a discount on stuff I want to buy past the 4 free ducklings.. I don't know if I will be able to withstand the pressure....lol If I go I just know I will be in trouble.... =0)
I have the older ducklings from cacklehatchery in a rubbermaid tote next to the tote with the two newbies so they can see each other but not get to each other.
I will post more pics soon !!!!!
~Julie =0)
To cute julie..