Hi all,
As you may have seen on my other thread, my mystery duck egg (likely Silver/Blue Swedish or Fawn-and-White Runner) internally pipped yesterday morning at Day 23. Since then, he hasn't made any progress though he's still rocking in his shell when I checked this morning. I've noticed some people say after 24 hours of internal pip, but no external it's time to put in a safety hole. I'll be honest, I'm really nervous about puncturing the baby and he's still fairly active (I think I heard a very faint chirp this morning, but have yet to hear anything else). He had a very large air cell right before he pipped (image below), so could I possibly give him more time before externally pipping? I just want to know what my absolute drop-dead time is to give him a safety hole before seeing an external pip. He's SO early that I don't want to jump the gun if he isn't ready, but is there any harm in helping him with an air hole?
Evening of Day 22
Morning of Day 23
Morning of Day 24 (There's also an orange/brown spot I noticed on the egg yesterday when I candled the internal pip that's new. Anything to be concerned about?)
By the nature of my Magicfly Incubator, I can't see the top so I can't confirm with 100% certainty that he didn't pip up above, but I tried to look at him from all angles with a flashlight and didn't see anything. Humidity is at 65% and temp is holding around 98.8
I've just got the one so naturally I'm a little overprotective and really pulling for this little guy to make it through without any issues.
He's so early, so I'm worried he's not properly developed! Want to be sure I give him the best shot I can!!
As you may have seen on my other thread, my mystery duck egg (likely Silver/Blue Swedish or Fawn-and-White Runner) internally pipped yesterday morning at Day 23. Since then, he hasn't made any progress though he's still rocking in his shell when I checked this morning. I've noticed some people say after 24 hours of internal pip, but no external it's time to put in a safety hole. I'll be honest, I'm really nervous about puncturing the baby and he's still fairly active (I think I heard a very faint chirp this morning, but have yet to hear anything else). He had a very large air cell right before he pipped (image below), so could I possibly give him more time before externally pipping? I just want to know what my absolute drop-dead time is to give him a safety hole before seeing an external pip. He's SO early that I don't want to jump the gun if he isn't ready, but is there any harm in helping him with an air hole?
Evening of Day 22
Morning of Day 23
Morning of Day 24 (There's also an orange/brown spot I noticed on the egg yesterday when I candled the internal pip that's new. Anything to be concerned about?)
By the nature of my Magicfly Incubator, I can't see the top so I can't confirm with 100% certainty that he didn't pip up above, but I tried to look at him from all angles with a flashlight and didn't see anything. Humidity is at 65% and temp is holding around 98.8
I've just got the one so naturally I'm a little overprotective and really pulling for this little guy to make it through without any issues.
He's so early, so I'm worried he's not properly developed! Want to be sure I give him the best shot I can!!
48 hours after the internal pip - sheesh! Now the quick developer decides to take his time. Day 25! Guess we can expect him in the next day or so. 
But any advice is helpful to talk me off the duck ledge. 
Going to keep him in there for the night and take him out in the morning!
