Well I am proud to announce the arrival of two beautiful Khaki Campbell ducklings. It was a race to see which hatched first in the end but Pip 'pipped' Pumpkin to the post. They are early, this is only Day 27 but it was a text book hatch. I did end up helping Pumpkin a tad right at the very end - she came out bottom first with her head and legs inside and after 30 minutes of her fighting and shouting I made the decision to just flip off a very tiny bit of egg shell as the hole she made was quite small and her bum fitted most of it! When she was fighting to escape all the effort was just making her wiggle her bottom. I didn't touch the membrane underneath but it was clear and like paper. After another really hard push by her that ripped a bit more and she slowly released herself from the egg.
A bit before this, the third egg that I have called Scramble from day 1 decided it was time to pip externally, he's done nothing much that I can see for days. I think the sound of hatching got him excited. If he follows them then he will rest up now and start to hatch tomorrow - day 28! I'm not too worried at the moment, he appears to be spot on the mark. The humidity changed a bit during the hatch and I have put a wash cloth between him and his siblings, who are happily drying out. I know that ducks and chicks can hatch at different times and actually he is doing what I originally expected them too. When he broke out he didn't make a tiny crack like the others hard that you struggled to see to start with, but pushed a really good hole so he has a good air supply now. Humidity of 60% worked well for them so I'm not changing a thing or panicking that it wasn't 65 anymore! he tapped away for a while after he pipped but he must have worked very hard to make such a crack.
In fact this has to be one of the most amazing experiences in my life. It was fascinating to watch and I recorded it all so my family won't miss out. I got very emotional at times but I guess that is normal too. I was hoping their chirping in the incubator might encourage him to carry on again after a nap but he is determined to stick to the script and having none of it. Either way he has the same chance as they had and I know not to try and help him out, he appears to know exactly what he is doing and who am I to argue with that? He's resting ready for the great escape. There is a good chance that he hasn't long pipped internally too so hardly surprising he is a little worn out.
Both babies are now cuddled up together resting on a wash cloth, they have also had a dabble at the condensation on the screen of the incubator too. They are drying out nicely and I will move them to the brooder later this evening and then ensure the humidity is OK and wait and see what happens over the next few days with the last egg.
Thank you so much to those that have taken the time to comment and encourage me it really did help. I would especially like to thank Bob (Charlindabob) who helped me out when I was really panicking and didn't mind the silly questions I sometimes asked, I genuinely feel your advise eased their hatching. Thank you too to Shannondee12, your words really did touch me and I took them to heart, they have held me in good stead.
Hopefully later on I will be able to finish up with some photos of the duckling and their sibling when he comes to join them, but more than anything I am no longer living in a duckless house. All the sadness and heartache that the last 6 weeks brought me has today came to an end. I have ducks again and life sure does feel good.
