Advice needed!

[REF]

Hi all-
So I’m hatching duck eggs and this one popped externally yesterday morning (so over 36 hours ago). There was a mix up w lay date so we thought he was at about 20 days but turns out he’s closer to 28. I’ve helped him up to this point as there had been no progress. I think he’s shrink wrapped and wondered if I should intervene. All that’s there is the inner membrane. There are SOME signs of blood so I’m not sure what to do. Advice?

 

[JaeG]

He looks ok at this stage - the membrane isn't turning brown which is what happens when it dries out too much. If there is still blood in the veins of the membrane then you need to wait until that has receded before helping him to hatch. You might see him still yawning and chewing which means they are still absorbing the remains of the yolk as well (which definitely needs to happen before hatch). As long as he can breathe he'll be ok. Ducklings can take 48 hours from external pip to being ready to hatch so until that period is up I would leave him be.

 

[REF]

He looks ok at this stage - the membrane isn't turning brown which is what happens when it dries out too much. If there is still blood in the veins of the membrane then you need to wait until that has receded before helping him to hatch. You might see him still yawning and chewing which means they are still absorbing the remains of the yolk as well (which definitely needs to happen before hatch). As long as he can breathe he'll be ok. Ducklings can take 48 hours from external pip to being ready to hatch so until that period is up I would leave him be.

Thank you! The inner membrane is whiter and than it looks in the picture from being dried out. I just moistened it w a wet q-tip and put it back in. I’ll keep watching. It’s going to be a long night.

 

[REF]

Baby hasn’t made much progress. Membrane is browning.

 

[JaeG]

Its likely at this stage you need to assist it. Try to peel back some of the shell and wet the membrane to see if any blood vessels are still active. If you see no signs of blood then help it hatch.

 

[REF]

Its likely at this stage you need to assist it. Try to peel back some of the shell and wet the membrane to see if any blood vessels are still active. If you see no signs of blood then help it hatch.

Thank you!! He just hatched maybe half hour ago!! Now I get to start worrying about another one who pipped on the wrong end and hadn’t advanced in over 24 hours. Any thoughts there? I can hear it chirping away inside.

 

[JaeG]

Thank you!! He just hatched maybe half hour ago!! Now I get to start worrying about another one who pipped on the wrong end and hadn’t advanced in over 24 hours. Any thoughts there? I can hear it chirping away inside.

Generally they can get out themselves even if they pip at the wrong end. I had a chicken chick do that and he started to unzip but got stuck right at the end and needed just a bit of help.

It might be another 24 hours before your duckling starts to unzip. As long as it can breathe it's fine. It's just torture for those of us sitting on the sidelines.

I'd like to say it gets easier, but I get just as impatient and stressed every time I hatch anything.

 

[REF]

Generally they can get out themselves even if they pip at the wrong end. I had a chicken chick do that and he started to unzip but got stuck right at the end and needed just a bit of help.

It might be another 24 hours before your duckling starts to unzip. As long as it can breathe it's fine. It's just torture for those of us sitting on the sidelines.

I'd like to say it gets easier, but I get just as impatient and stressed every time I hatch anything.

Thank you! Yes, I’ve hatched chicks several times but I’m new at ducklings and it’s so stressful! Thank you for your help!