Shrink wrapped ducklings!!

RandomDuck

In the Brooder
5 Years
So My broody hen has been sitting on 3 duck eggs for a while now, and yesterday was hatching day. They have not made any progress at all. I hear one pointlessly tapping, but it's not working. Two have pips, and the last has a crack from being pecked at, and I can see its down from the hole. On all three of the eggs the membrane is really leathery, and kind of brown with this gummy brown gunk under it. I am pretty sure they are shrink wrapped, and I'm sure they had too low humidity throughout the incubation period, since the hen couldn't get it up. This is my first broody hatch and I'm worried. Last night, I put warm damp paper towels around the eggs and this morning I did that again. When should I intervene? They've been making no progress for 24 hours now. On two of the eggs I can see the ducklings bills, breathing, but the last one, it's barely moving and I can't see its head. That one I'm almost sure is shrink wrapped.
Please help a nervous duckling momma,
~RandomQueen
 
When my broody left her clutch of eggs after 25 days.For the record she hatched out 1.I was about to toss the rest eggs.and heard a loud peeping.I put it in the incubator and that night it started zipping.Flakes of the egg shell fell away.the next morning it had not hatched.I asked for help here ON BYC.and told them the situation.I Left work and went home.Still no hatch.I picked it up and could see where the shell had flaked away.it was shrink wrap.I was told the risked of peeling the shell and membrane away from the egg.With shaking hands I took some warm water and gently patted it on the membrane I than picked the shell and soften membrane away.and the Chick pop out.I left in the incubator and went back to work.That evening I hurried home.than I found out the reason why he could not hatch.his little legs were positioned over his wings. .it could not walk or stand.after three days of trying to help him.we had to put him down.You could get a bowl of warm water and wet your fingers and gently wet the membrane.But go to your search bar here on BYC and type in shrink wrap.it will tell you the risked involve in helping them hatch.
Good LUCK
 
Try not to worry :hugs

If these were my eggs I would give them longer and try to leave them under mum. Getting them out all the time leaves them open to the air and the risk of drying out. As with lockdown in an incubator do not open it up. I know it may sound harsh but them hatching is the first big test to see if they are going to be strong and healthy. Chicks/ducklings that are assisted tend to be weak/sick birds. Hatching can't and shouldn't be rushed. Wishing you the very best of luck :fl
 
I am trying to add you the link for assisted hatching but my iPad is playing up. I'm sure if you type in the search it will come up. It's by Sally Sunshine and is a great read really talks you through it all with what to look out for. Hope it helps.
 
My broody hen kicked out our duck when it hatched... And scooted out the other egg that had started to pip/zip. We had to bring them
In, fire up incubator and wait. I ended up helping the duck a little at a time as he really had a dry membrane . They are both doing great and in the baby box with our other week of chicks/ducks. Ducks take a lot longer to hatch though.
 

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