Margaid
Well-known member
Thank you Isis and Chris.
Hope the little feller is OK
Hope the little feller is OK
We have a gosling on the way!
- Thread starter Isis
- Start date
NEWTODUCKS
New member
When I hatched my ducks last year there was black gunky stuff inside the shells which I guess is normal.Could this be what you are seeing Isis? Make sure that membrane keeps damp and pliable to enable hatching. Wonderful pictures by the way really giving us a "feel " for what is going on. What sort of goose is it?
Canada Goose.
We're keeping the membrane as damp as possible. The little guy started shivering though so we heated some towels and put them in around him for a little. Unfortunately the cons to having a heatlamp as an incubator is that it evaporates a lot of the moisture. So far he seems okay though. Pushing more to get out, and seems to be a little contorted in there. Theres a foot beside his beak? Lol.
I could have been seeing that black gunky stuff maybe. I wouldn't rule it out.
This is where we're at right now:
We're keeping the membrane as damp as possible. The little guy started shivering though so we heated some towels and put them in around him for a little. Unfortunately the cons to having a heatlamp as an incubator is that it evaporates a lot of the moisture. So far he seems okay though. Pushing more to get out, and seems to be a little contorted in there. Theres a foot beside his beak? Lol.
I could have been seeing that black gunky stuff maybe. I wouldn't rule it out.
This is where we're at right now:
NEWTODUCKS
New member
I had to do an assisted hatch on a black runner duck because of a dried membrane. It was really wierd, his black beak was poking out, then a black foot it was a bit spooky! I had to take all of his shell off because he was completely stuck, none the worse for his experiance today!
chrismahon
Well-known member
I'm going outside for a smoke. Bet by the time I get back he'll be out!
Thinking it won't be much longer now. He's still not much more then feathers and a beak but he's giving a few good pushes and revealing about 3/5ths of the eggs membranes. I think if he just.. stretches... he'd be free from his egg.
chrismahon
Well-known member
He'll get very tired doing all this pushing Isis. Expect he'll take a rest and then as soon as your back is turned...... he'll be out and you've missed it ! I have only seen one or two chicks hatch for just that reason.
foxy
Active member
Congratulations and well done! 
08 08
08 08
Thank you so much! I am so proud that we were able to save him!!
But...... now what? Lol. We're keeping him for about a week or so before he goes off to the wildlife center and he totally thinks I'm Mom. I picked him up right away cuz he was shaking and put him in a warm towel and then just carried him for a little and he fell asleep. He gets really alert if I so much as speak. It's cute!
He's currently back in his temporary home in a giant tupperware bin under his heat lamp and a warm towel.
What else can I do? Will the heat lamp be enough to keep him warm? Is he just shaking cuz he's tired? He's not fluffy yet but will be soon, he's starting to get a little fluffy.
But...... now what? Lol. We're keeping him for about a week or so before he goes off to the wildlife center and he totally thinks I'm Mom. I picked him up right away cuz he was shaking and put him in a warm towel and then just carried him for a little and he fell asleep. He gets really alert if I so much as speak. It's cute!
He's currently back in his temporary home in a giant tupperware bin under his heat lamp and a warm towel.
What else can I do? Will the heat lamp be enough to keep him warm? Is he just shaking cuz he's tired? He's not fluffy yet but will be soon, he's starting to get a little fluffy.
Margaid
Well-known member
Congratulations to proud Mum and Tweety 08
08 Thank you!He's fluffy now, and still sleeping. Wakes up every so often and chirps and then goes back to sleep. He's not shivering anymore but still has his "blanket" in there with him just in case. Once my son gets to bed we'll be locking up the cats and allowing him some run around time in a playpen so that he can try walking on something more sturdy then a cushy towel floor.
I guess in the morning we'll give him some water and start him on some small bits of lettuce and starter feed.
chrismahon
Well-known member
Congratulations Isis and Tweety. Until their down dries they do get very cold. It will be 6 weeks before he can produce oill to waterproof his feathers -well that's how long it takes for ducks. Keep the heat lamp over him but it can be raised slightly initially to 35 degrees and then up further as he feathers up. But he won't be off heat completely until 6 weeks or so.
We hand reared a Mallard duck to 10 weeks before she flew off. Its a lot of work and mess, so its best the centre can take him.
We hand reared a Mallard duck to 10 weeks before she flew off. Its a lot of work and mess, so its best the centre can take him.
NEWTODUCKS
New member
What an achievement. A really lovely story with a happy ending.
Well done to you!!!!!
Well done to you!!!!!
foxy
Active member
Feed him with starter crumb and just plain water....no lettuce. Lettuce is not really good at this stage for goslings or ducklings, at least for a couple of days until he is on his feet.
