Day 23 of hatching duck eggs

[Hev1977]

Hi all, I'm completely new to this. I did my research, bought some eggs and followed all the advice. Unfortunately, my eggs were shipped, 4 out of 5 had detached/saddled air sacs and one had a crack!! I'm down to two viable eggs, one has a detached/saddle air sac, the other is fine. The embryo/duckling in the saddled egg seems small compared to the other egg. The air sac is huge as well. I candled this evening, only slight movement from the normal egg, (duckling does seem to be filling it) and there is movement in the saddled egg. My worry is the hatch, for both of them!! How should I set the saddled egg at lockdown?? Does anyone have any advice on if and when to assist?? I'm desperate here, can you tell!? I've spent so long waiting for hatch day, talking to the eggs, I've already fallen in love with my babies, and would be heart broken if anything went wrong this close to the end!! Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[ValerieJ]

Hi! Welcome to BYC! And welcome to the stress of your first hatch! I am not an expert on hatching at all, so hopefully we will get an expert in here soon. I think you want to make sure the air sac is up at lockdown. Good luck!!!

 

[CluckNDoodle]

Knowing when to step in or IF you should step in during the hatch is one of the hardest things to explain but there are a couple of links here on BYC that, sometimes in graphic detail, explain how the hatching process works as well as how to step in and assist if necessary. Waterfowl are waaaaaay slower to hatch than chicks so most of the anticipatory anxiety is because they're just SO SLOW! I hope that your hatch goes smoothly and that assistance isn't necessary but the below links are helpful if needed!

This link would be good to read over and understand so you know why it's important to wait. I'll forwarn you that there are some graphic images of chicks that hatched too early but it's an incredible source to have when hatching!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/step-by-step-guide-to-assisted-hatching.64660/

This is another link more focused on assisting any type of poultry but they are both very good sources of information.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/guide-to-assisted-hatching-for-all-poultry.72886/

 

[BullChick]

 

[BullChick]

A quick answer is to hatch laying down. I’m a fan of always hatching laying down.

 

[Kiki]

Welcome to BYC.
We are glad you joined this flock!
Jump right in and make yourself at home.

How are the eggs sitting in the bator now?

This video will help you learn how to navigate this site (how to upload photos too):

Coop Ideas:
Chicken Coops.

What exactly did you Google to get here? <<<<<<<<<<< Click there to go to that thread.

BYC has an APP!

 

[Pork Pie]

Hello and welcome to BYC. I hope that you enjoy your time here.

This is a useful link to take a look at - “How to...” guides. You may wish to consider including your location under your avatar (using the guide in the link above). You can use this link to contact members in your area - U.S. States

Best wishes

Pork Pie

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
Sorry, I have no advice. I've only done natural incubating here.

 

[Hev1977]

Welcome to BYC.
We are glad you joined this flock!
Jump right in and make yourself at home.

How are the eggs sitting in the bator now?

This video will help you learn how to navigate this site (how to upload photos too):

Coop Ideas:
Chicken Coops.

What exactly did you Google to get here? <<<<<<<<<<< Click there to go to that thread.

BYC has an APP!

They're laying on their sides and are being turned regularly.

Thank you, I'll have a look

 

[Hev1977]

Hi! Welcome to BYC! And welcome to the stress of your first hatch! I am not an expert on hatching at all, so hopefully we will get an expert in here soon. I think you want to make sure the air sac is up at lockdown. Good luck!!!

Thank you