Hi all new here, first post although been following many threads since summer. Up here in Atlantic Canada our Muscovy girl decided to have a late clutch. Started with six eggs down to 2 under her which I think are no good. This one pipped inside almost 2 days ago but was having a very hard time breaking through the shell. We decided to bring it inside and make a small hole so it could breathe as movements were dropping off.
It peeped like mad once air got in. It was very vocal for alot of the morning. We broke away around a part in the air cell to see how it was doing. One very miniscule bit of blood but stopped in a minute, No real attempt to break out but noticed the veins in the membranes have shrunk alot since this afternoon. Tonight we chipped away the shell to the very edge of the air cell and tucked the inner membrane back. We have been keeping that membrane moist with a q-tip. It has rested alot this afternoon and has peeped to get our attention a few times.
Never done this before. Our chickens were laying until a mink somehow got in and killed all ten, but I shot it while going through the nest box.
So we are doing whatever we can to save this baby. Oh its in our closet , temps 95+- 2 degrees and a moisten paper towel over it to keep moist. Any thoughts at how long it will take to emerge. It blood is really being absorbed from the inner membrane and the yolk has to be too.I thought with the amount exposed it would stick that cute head out, but no.
Update! pic is this morning. After removing a bit more shell it decided it wanted out while I as in the barn. I can see the yolk sac inside the bottom of the shell. Do the newly emerged duckling usually just lay there with little twitches and the occasional chirp? How long to absorb that yolk sac and try to stand. Getting more excited now.
It peeped like mad once air got in. It was very vocal for alot of the morning. We broke away around a part in the air cell to see how it was doing. One very miniscule bit of blood but stopped in a minute, No real attempt to break out but noticed the veins in the membranes have shrunk alot since this afternoon. Tonight we chipped away the shell to the very edge of the air cell and tucked the inner membrane back. We have been keeping that membrane moist with a q-tip. It has rested alot this afternoon and has peeped to get our attention a few times.
Never done this before. Our chickens were laying until a mink somehow got in and killed all ten, but I shot it while going through the nest box.
So we are doing whatever we can to save this baby. Oh its in our closet , temps 95+- 2 degrees and a moisten paper towel over it to keep moist. Any thoughts at how long it will take to emerge. It blood is really being absorbed from the inner membrane and the yolk has to be too.I thought with the amount exposed it would stick that cute head out, but no.
Update! pic is this morning. After removing a bit more shell it decided it wanted out while I as in the barn. I can see the yolk sac inside the bottom of the shell. Do the newly emerged duckling usually just lay there with little twitches and the occasional chirp? How long to absorb that yolk sac and try to stand. Getting more excited now.
Last edited:
