Duckling foot curled

My Saxony hen hatched out 7 ducklings. To my great surprise, she ppeared to reject one of the ducklings.the others, she would not let out from under her at all. I tried replacing it, but after watching, I realized she would not let it into the nest. The duckling in question has a curled up foot. I uncurled it, and it seems ok but just stays curled. I assume this is the reason for the rejection. That part is no problem, we have other ducklings in a brooder right now that we put the little rejected guy in with. My question is, should I do something to straighten out the foot? Will it straighten on its own? Thanks yall.

Personally, I would gently massage it into the correct position, as often as possible. I *might* straighten out on its own, but that's not been my experience.

Carla Burke wrote:Personally, I would gently massage it into the correct position, as often as possible. I *might* straighten out on its own, but that's not been my experience.

Thank you for your reply Carla. The little feller didn't end up making it. I think there was more wrong with him than met the eye. He had a good day on earth and died peacefully!

I have learned to trust momma birds. They seem to know when a baby isn't going to make it.

Agreed. If the foot was the only thing, then the massage might have helped it. But, this is, too me, an indication there was much more wrong. I'm glad at least, that the poor thing had a peaceful, relatively comfortable death.

Jay Angler wrote:I have learned to trust momma birds. They seem to know when a baby isn't going to make it.

So true. The hen is taking such greay care of the other 6 she hatched! She knew exactly what she was doing.