any advice on lockdown?

[abidaby]

Slight orange membrane. I've had another one pip!

 

[WVduckchick]

Still looks ok. They are definitely working them!

Any out yet?

 

[abidaby]

Not me out yet,

This little one has made good progress (it was the one with the small spot of brown membrane) it keeps trying to push out

 

[abidaby]

This was the one that was making most progress. How do you tell if they are shrink wrapped? Can they still get it once they've pipped? Just, I can see movement through the hole but it looks like pics that I've seen of shrink wrapped....

 

[abidaby]

Just saw a beak come out of that one!!!

 

[WVduckchick]

Oh my goodness, tell me this one made it out! @abidaby

 

[WVduckchick]

But to answer your question, they can get stuck once they start to zip, if they pause too long. I just completed an assist on a chick that zipped a third around, then got rolled by another chick and stopped. The membrane was stuck to its wing like glue!

So if they don't complete the zip within about an hour or so, or if they appear stalled out, they could need assistance. Usually just moistening the membrane with some Vaseline or antibiotic ointment (no pain killer in it!) will get the membrane unstuck enough for them to push out on their own. It may be necessary to remove the whole air cell cap, and even peel off some of the membrane. Then let them do the rest on their own. Just make sure the bill or beak is clear.

And be cautious of blood vessels. Any active bleeding, stop the bleeding and stop proceeding.

 

[abidaby]

Ahhhh two have just literally hatched!!!! Omg so cuteeeeeeee. Humidity has shot up to 82% though.

 

[abidaby]

That little one came out legs first!

 

[WVduckchick]

Humidity will jump up when they hatch because they are wet, adding more humidity to the air. That's all well and good. As they dry, it will drop back down. No worries!

And cute doesn't even come close, does it? Its indescribable!

So happy for you and those babies. Keep em comin!