Help! Duck egg pipped internally 3 days ago but no external pip yet!

khaosity

In the Brooder
7 Years
Mar 13, 2012
17
4
22
When should I start thinking about helping? The baby inside is still tapping but not very strongly and it's been since monday morning that it's internally pipped and still has not externally pipped yet. The air cell is also rather large, so maybe the baby isn't getting enough humidity? My temp gauge says the humidity is at 80% and its been very wet outside.

Our rouen went broody about a month ago and we were out of town so I don't know exactly what day it is for them. There are two out of 13 that I'm worried about so far but mostly this one. 4 or 5 have internally pipped but none have externally so far and the rest haven't even internally pipped, but again, they might be at slightly different stages since she started sitting while we were out of town and our cayuga continued to lay eggs in her nest until we got back. These eggs are pekin/cayuga and pekin/rouen crosses btw; maybe they're just too big to turn properly to externally pip?
Also, she is still moving/turning them. Is that going to screw up hatching?

Please help, I'm a first time hatcher but I feel time is running out for these little guys!

Thanks much.
 
If it were me:

If it internally pipped on Monday I would assist it. Is that something you've done before? And do you have an incubator.
QJ i am so glad you have seen this, as you know I can't help anyone with hatching since I don't hatch just let my girls do it, but she really needs help and i don't think she has done this before,

she was on the broody thread and I was so hoping she would come here for help.
 
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QJ i am so glad you have seen this, as you know I can't help anyone with hatching since I don't hatch just let my girls do it, but she really needs help and i don't think she has done this before,

she was on the broody thread and I was so hoping she would come here for help.

I'm afraid it's going to be a pain since she has to walk outside to do this.
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No... I have not. But I've read this post https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/9316/intervention-helping-your-chicks-hatch and am prepared to do what needs to be done (I've got everything cleaned, set up and ready that the thread recommends). But I am a bit confused as how to open the egg since there isn't any external pip yet?

I don't have an incubator since they've been sitting under our rouen this whole time, but now she's very restless and isn't regularly sitting on them, plus she keeps moving/turning them so I'm worried she's about done with it.
Would her turning them hinder the ducklings from being able to properly externally pip?

Oh and I have set up a temp hatchery in a styrofoam container in our bathroom, with the temp at about 98-99 and the humidity at about 90% (I turned on the hot shower for a few min with the windows closed). I am worried that they're starting to shrink-wrap.

Thank you so much for your reply btw; I am freakingouthere, lol!


If it were me:

If it internally pipped on Monday I would assist it. Is that something you've done before? And do you have an incubator.
 
Oh and right now they're still under mama, but again, I'm worried about leaving them there. Sorry about all the (probably) stupid questions. I am very new at this and I know broody moms usually do well but she's very new at this too, so I'm just concerned. Thanks again for your help, guys.
 
Wow you are super fast Miss Lydia! Hahaha and yes, you're right on all accounts. Thank you for your help.
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To create an external pip, I use a razor blade or exacto knife. Make a X type cut TAKE YOUR TIME, and then you can use tweezers to chip the shell away. Don't take it completely out of the shell. You're just creating a hole big enough to take a peek inside, trying to find the beak and giving it some air. I would be worried about the others too. And yes, I believe that her turning them is not a good thing.

Sounds like you have a great set up in the bathroom.
 

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