Did the float test, all passed as viable eggs, but the others hatched two days ago

[GarnerZoo]

Nine of Fourteen eggs hatched Monday. I did the float test today to check the five that didn't hatch and they all checked out as good eggs. The momma duck still sits on them but it's been almost three days since the others hatched and two seem to be rotten. What do I do?

 

[casportpony]

Have you candled them?

-Kathy

 

[JENNYEM]

Hiya! Had the same with one of my duck eggs in the incubator earlier this month. One hatched healthily and on-time, and the other I wasn't sure of float tested viable for two days, so I let it continue in the bator. Turns out, it had internally pipped upside-down in the shell and couldn't make it out. I was just so worried I would do more harm than good and didn't intervene in time.

When I did choose to take a look however, I chipped lightly away at the shell above the air sac and was able to see inside. I noticed the membrane had not been punctured by the bill at all in the air sac area, and there was no inner movement. After chipping away a tiny bit more I saw the beak embedded in the wall of the membrane.

Perhaps if I had intervened sooner I could have assisted the upside-down duckling in hatching, but it's also a possibility that it wouldn't have been the saving grace, either.

There is a great post on here for assisted hatching that definitely opened my eyes to the delicate process, maybe you can get something from it too: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/step-by-step-guide-to-assisted-hatching. I know it is a tough waiting game& I hope the best for your eggies!!!

 

[GarnerZoo]

Thanks for the replies, I will try to do that later. Hoping for the best.

 

[GarnerZoo]

And yes I did candle them, the two that look to be rotten I couldn't see anything but black besides the air sack, and the others have veins

 

[JENNYEM]

Post an update when you can, would love to know how it turns out. Best of luck!

 

[casportpony]

And yes I did candle them, the two that look to be rotten I couldn't see anything but black besides the air sack, and the others have veins

How many with veins are there?

-Kathy

 

[casportpony]

And where are all the ducklings?

-Kathy

 

[GarnerZoo]

There are three with veins, but I've not seem any movement in them (I don't know of that's normal or not) the momma duck is sitting on the eggs and the babies. I'm going to candle them again when she gets off the nest. She bites when I try to do anything, even bring her water, she's a very protective mommy so I have to wait.

 

[GarnerZoo]

Made little cracks in the air sack area, the two that I thought were rotten were and one looked to have pipped wrong as blood was everywhere. It was also starting to rot. Another hadn't fully developed and had started to rot and the last one was fully developed but rotten. I'm not sure why the float test came out the way it did. Maybe I did it wrong, but m lucky to have nine. Thanks for the help everyone