Did I just kill my duckling?? Anything I can do? I feel sick...

[FenDruadin]

I just opened the incubator one last time to put in a damp towel to increase the humidity. Then it's lockdown. As I poured water on the towel, my hand hit the fan (the lid was only lifted a little). The fan sent my hand flying and the pitcher of water partially crushed an egg. The duckling is pushing at the membrane where it is crushed. I quickly sprayed it with warm water and closed the incubator. They are due to hatch on Monday. Can it survive? Is there anything I should do? It's not just a crack--it's about the size of the air cell (I know this because the air cell is outlined in pencil at each candling), and crushed. Like I said, the duckling is pushing at it.

I am a bit stressed. I took the goats to be neutered today, and one of them is acting shocky, and they're both all bloody. They're probably fine, but between that and crushing an egg so close to hatching... I'm feeling a little ill.

Help???

 

[Chicky Tocks]

Hope for the best hun. Accidents do happen. Hopefully someone with experience in this area will come along and give you some good advice on how to save this baby.

 

[birdsofthefarm]

It may still work....

 

[Wifezilla]

I say watch and wait. Did you see any blood? If not...or if it was only a tiny amount and then no additional bleeding, it may still have a chance.

 

[FenDruadin]

No--no blood. The membrane appears to be intact. I guess the best thing is just to keep the humidity up and leave everything alone. It's all set up for lockdown now, so I should be able to do everything I need to without opening the bator again. I'm guessing that preventing the membrane from drying out is probably the critical thing. I can't seal it because it's actually crushed, not just cracked. But, I'm hopeful because the membrane doesn't seem to be broken. I'll keep everyone updated. Thank you for the quick and helpful, encouraging replies!

And, the goats are doing better. The one that seemed to be in shock sat up and drank some water and ate some grain just now. So that eases my mind too. It's just been a stressful day on the animal front!

 

[GAChknGirl]

we had an egg stuck to another egg we peeled it off on day15 and part of the shell came off membrane was still intact and ours hatched just fine!!

 

[FenDruadin]

Oh, GAChknGirl--that makes me feel SO much better. Thank you so much for the encouragement. Gotta run to dinner (hey, when hubby cooks, I come!)... thank you thank you thank you!

 

[bargain]

Monday is not a long way off....I'm saying a little prayer for your peace and the continued development of the little duck.

Keep humidity at the right level and don't overly touch or mess with the eggs....Take good care of you also!

Accidents are never on purpose.....

.................................

Be blessed and be a blessing.

 

[ShrekDawg]

I think it can still make it and has a chance if the membrane is still intact, it would be different if it wasn't intact then that would be a problem. good luck and I hope all is well!

 

[Mrs MIA]

As long as the membrane is intact, it shoule be ok. You can even try to lightly wax the shell where it's cracked to seal it.
I had a nest full of eggs on day 14, and foolishly set it on the floor temporarily to check on the hen outside (taking her morning constitutional

) I was only out there for a minute, but suddenly I thought "Uh oh"... and ran back inside. My dog had found the nest, and had carefully extracted one egg and was about to take off with it. I scared him, and I heard "SMACK!" as he dropped it from a height of about a foot onto the concrete floor. Nice big spiderweb crack where it hit, but nothing oozed and the membrane was intact. I quickly melted some wax (plain unscented) and dipped the cracked part in, then let it dry. I put it back into the incubator. The next day I candled it, and lo and behold... movement!! The chick hatched and is doing well!

That taught me the lesson of never giving up until I know absolutely for sure that it's dead.

Give it a shot! What do you have to lose?