Day 28, should I assist hatch?? Really worried

[WalnutHill]

x 2. A picture is worth a thousand words.

 

[Inga123]

Ok thank u! The air cell is slanted, and has been. Just since yesterday, at the lowest point, it has taken on a whole other "dip". It looked like a normal slanted air cell to me until yesterday. Then the lowest point started dipping in more in just that spot, and it looked just like all the pics ive seen of "saddled". Hence why im referring to it that way haha. I hope i didnt confuse the situation! Sorry if i did. Ok so with this new info im not sure it is looking normal. When i look at pics of internal pips, i see the beak at the low point in the slant. Mine has like a slant...in the slant...hmmm. But do u think from the pic everything looks ok? These are crested ducks so i know its already a slippery slope...

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Ok thank u! The air cell is slanted, and has been. Just since yesterday, at the lowest point, it has taken on a whole other "dip". It looked like a normal slanted air cell to me until yesterday. Then the lowest point started dipping in more in just that spot, and it looked just like all the pics ive seen of "saddled". Hence why im referring to it that way haha. I hope i didnt confuse the situation! Sorry if i did. Ok so with this new info im not sure it is looking normal. When i look at pics of internal pips, i see the beak at the low point in the slant. Mine has like a slant...in the slant...hmmm. But do u think from the pic everything looks ok? These are crested ducks so i know its already a slippery slope...

A saddle air sac would dip like that on both sides of the egg (creating a true saddle shape.) As long as it is dipped on one side and not overly large (which yours isn't) it is the correct "shape" that you would expect to see. To me, from that pic it looks fine, but like I said, at this point there's not a whole lot you can do, even if it wasn't.

 

[Inga123]

Wow thank u so much! Why havent i been able to find an explanation of a saddle more perfect than that anywhere else online? Haha! You have been so helpful and im feeling much better about the egg! Well he is in the bator with the humidity up so hopefully ill have an internal pip soon, and a ducky in the next couple days! Im so hopeful! Thank u sooo much!!

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Wow thank u so much! Why havent i been able to find an explanation of a saddle more perfect than that anywhere else online? Haha! You have been so helpful and im feeling much better about the egg! Well he is in the bator with the humidity up so hopefully ill have an internal pip soon, and a ducky in the next couple days! Im so hopeful! Thank u sooo much!!

Keeping my fingers crossed for you. I do hope everything is alright and he hatches out happy and healthy.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

If you look at the picture here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/958044/hatching-eggs-with-saddle-shaped-air-cells You can see how the "saddle" shape looks.

 

[Orca5094]

Totally agree with AmyLynn! That is a normal air cell that has dropped in preparation for hatch, so all looks normal to me. Just give the little guy more time. They can't come out until they are completely ready in there.

 

[Inga123]

Just an update! Still no internal pip it's day 29. So he has been pushing at the membrane for 48+ hrs. However, today the pushing seems much less intense. Am I just being a worrisome first time ducky mom?? Haha!

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Just an update! Still no internal pip

it's day 29. So he has been pushing at the membrane for 48+ hrs. However, today the pushing seems much less intense. Am I just being a worrisome first time ducky mom?? Haha!

I still think he's progressing as normal, but I will say, in my opinion, the more the eggs are being handled after lockdown, the more that can happen to their ability to hatch. There could very well be a problem, you might be right, but as honest as I can be right now, if that duckling does not make at least an internal pip there is not much you can do. He will be in no way prepared to hatch, assisted or otherwise. As long as he has not pipped through to the air cell and started breathing from the lungs, he isn't "running out of air" per se. As a hatcher you need to make the decision that you think is best for the chick/duck, but you have to do so without second guessing yourself. You have to be able to live with the outcome no matter wether it is good or bad and not keep going back to "what if" or you will drive yourself crazy.

 

[Inga123]

Thank you so much Amy, I guess I'm figuring if I try to assist at this point, he won't have a chance, if I just let leave him be he at least has a chance of surviving. I will definitely keep updating though! Thank you for all your support. Oh and homeschool moms rock I homeschool my children as well haha.