Baby trying but crack and small hole is in small end of egg

[J1Bern]

I have 3 mallard ducks eggs. I started incubating on Apr 2. Two eggs are showing cracks in the larger end of the egg, my other egg has a crack and I now can see yellow inside the small end. Hole/crac is about the size of a pea She is chirping but no progress has been made since we first found the crack 6 a.m. yesterday. That said; it seems to actually be past 24 hours with no progress. Should I be worried since the crack is in the small end of the egg? She is still making noises and moving. Thanks you in advance for your replies and the sharing of knowledge. I’m just one worried momma!

 

[Pyxis]

Since the crack is in the small end, she never got to internally pip and rest, meaning now she needs all the time she would have rested while internally pipped plus all the time she would have rested after externally pipping to finish absorbing everything. So it may be 48 hours or more from the time of the pip before she attempts to make any more progress.

The good news is, most of the time in this position they can still hatch on their own with no help needed, so when she is ready, she can likely get herself out.

 

[ronott1]

Keep us posted on the progress!

 

[J1Bern]

Still the same hole still very very active. It has been almost 48 hours. Do you think she will make it? How will I know if she is in distress?

 

[Pyxis]

I think so. Ducks take a really long time to hatch. It could be more time yet. If it comes down to it, you can attempt an assist:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/guide-to-assisted-hatching-for-all-poultry.72886/

But I'd say give it some more time.

 

[J1Bern]

I really appreciate your opinion. Reading what all occurs in the hatching process I certainly do not want to comprise her health. I’ll keep you posted, I’m going to giver her more time. I bet I check on her multiple times throughout the night....sleep is overrated anyway!

 

[J1Bern]

I ended up assisting this morning and glad I did, his beak was under leg and could not reach the shell. His leg looked very twisted but has since relaxed. Bottom of foot still curled, hoping more time will take care of this. Any advice? He is beautiful curled foot and all!
Two more eggs to go, both have small hole. One egg has turned black like a blood stain but chick is still moving around.

 

[Pyxis]

I ended up assisting this morning and glad I did, his beak was under leg and could not reach the shell. His leg looked very twisted but has since relaxed. Bottom of foot still curled, hoping more time will take care of this. Any advice? He is beautiful curled foot and all!
Two more eggs to go, both have small hole. One egg has turned black like a blood stain but chick is still moving around.

Good save! Glad you got him out safely If his foot doesn't uncurl on its own within the next day, you could make a boot to straighten it out for him.