Double Yolk Incubation Research Project

[MarlyMonster]

If the ducklings are still moving or making sounds, they should be fine. However, if they start sounding weak, usually a distressed peep or clicking noises, I advise helping.

Also, the veins are not gone — they are merely out of sight. The are just so close to the duckling now in the membrane that they are not visible. Everything sounds good though!

Waiting sucks! Dat 33 tomorrow, im hoping for something! Does 35 days mean that many days till hatching starts or 35 days till the finish of hatching? Sorry if this is a stupid question...

 

[silkie1472]

So is waiting 48 hours after internal pip before assisting a good rule to stick to then? Or at least to start evaluating if I should? That would give the yolk enough time to absorb right? Sorry for all my questions, just wanna be sure I do this right cuz I’m terrified of going in too early before the yolk is absorbed but I’m also scared of being too late and hurting them

Waterfowl is sometimes tricky...sometimes after an external pip you could look at another 2 days but it is never the same for each bird.

I have hatched chicks, poults, and ducklings early on multiple occasions (around 50<100) and have only had 3 casualties (1 duckling and 2 poults). Doing so, however, calls for extreme care as blood is usually involved and yolks are not fully absorbed. Multiple threads go over this and speak highly against it, but none of us really know what’s best ~ we just know what’s natural.

With that said, I’d say to help if you deem it necessary. Just be prepared to care for a weak duckling if you do so.

 

[silkie1472]

Waiting sucks! Dat 33 tomorrow, im hoping for something! Does 35 days mean that many days till hatching starts or 35 days till the finish of hatching? Sorry if this is a stupid question...

Muscovies are a different breed of duck. I like to think of them as miniature geese. However, their incubation is longer than both usually. 35 days is just an estimated number influenced by a number of factors. This number would mean that by day 35, the majority of the Muscovy ducklings would be completely hatched. What you’re seeing now is normal. 2-3 days prior to hatch, they prepare to hatch, which is what you’re seeing now.

 

[MarlyMonster]

Waterfowl is sometimes tricky...sometimes after an external pip you could look at another 2 days but it is never the same for each bird.

I have hatched chicks, poults, and ducklings early on multiple occasions (around 50<100) and have only had 3 casualties (1 duckling and 2 poults). Doing so, however, calls for extreme care as blood is usually involved and yolks are not fully absorbed. Multiple threads go over this and speak highly against it, but none of us really know what’s best ~ we just know what’s natural.

With that said, I’d say to help if you deem it necessary. Just be prepared to care for a weak duckling if you do so.

Damn so I guess it’s really a judgement call then... let’s hope mine is good LOL

The good thing is I won’t be around to constantly hover over the bator too I guess cuz there will be less chance I’ll interfere too early

 

[MarlyMonster]

Muscovies are a different breed of duck. I like to think of them as miniature geese. However, their incubation is longer than both usually. 35 days is just an estimated number influenced by a number of factors. This number would mean that by day 35, the majority of the Muscovy ducklings would be completely hatched. What you’re seeing now is normal. 2-3 days prior to hatch, they prepare to hatch, which is what you’re seeing now.

I don’t understand how people stay so calm when their child is being born cuz these are ducks and I’m already freaking out!! Like severe anxiety

 

[silkie1472]

Everybody reading this that has hatched eggs of any kind before understands this . We have no control of the end results of incubation, making us worry about it. If you’ve done everything you knew to do, that’s all you could do.

P.S. If you do decide to help, and the yolks are not fully absorbed, they will be stuck to the egg by what you would consider their unbilical cord. DO NOT PULL IT! Just try to see if it is connected and, if so, make sure they stay in the shells and wrap them in a warm, wet paper towel. Don’t cover their heads — just try to make it where they cannot get out using their legs anytime soon until the cord dries and the yolk is absorbed. Their own legs trying to push can kill them by getting out of the shell too early. This is where I have had my 3 problems.

 

[WVduckchick]

So is waiting 48 hours after internal pip before assisting a good rule to stick to then? Or at least to start evaluating if I should? That would give the yolk enough time to absorb right? Sorry for all my questions, just wanna be sure I do this right cuz I’m terrified of going in too early before the yolk is absorbed but I’m also scared of being too late and hurting them

The 48 hours is the high range after external pip. Externals usually come within 24 hours after internal. But with twins, I would probably make safe holes in less than that, if they haven’t pipped the shell on their own.
Remember, these are all just general guidelines, as silkie1472 said. Some can go much quicker, but some like to take their time. Patience testers.

Everybody reading this that has hatched eggs of any kind before understands this . We have no control of the end results of incubation, making us worry about it. If you’ve done everything you knew to do, that’s all you could do.

P.S. If you do decide to help, and the yolks are not fully absorbed, they will be stuck to the egg by what you would consider their unbilical cord. DO NOT PULL IT! Just try to see if it is connected and, if so, make sure they stay in the shells and wrap them in a warm, wet paper towel. Don’t cover their heads — just try to make it where they cannot get out using their legs anytime soon until the cord dries and the yolk is absorbed. Their own legs trying to push can kill them by getting out of the shell too early. This is where I have had my 3 problems.

Great point about the cord. And while I agree with the majority of your posts, I highly disagree with the wet paper towel wrap. My experience has shown that a wet paper towel wrapped around the egg tends to chill the babies and defeats the intended notion of adding moisture. By that time, you want them drying out more so they can break free. Membranes need to be moistened with ointment/oil, but not the shell. Just my 2 cents.


MarlyMonster, I’ll be on the road today, only occasionally checking in to see if there is any progress. Best wishes for an exciting day!!

 

[MarlyMonster]

Everybody reading this that has hatched eggs of any kind before understands this . We have no control of the end results of incubation, making us worry about it. If you’ve done everything you knew to do, that’s all you could do.

P.S. If you do decide to help, and the yolks are not fully absorbed, they will be stuck to the egg by what you would consider their unbilical cord. DO NOT PULL IT! Just try to see if it is connected and, if so, make sure they stay in the shells and wrap them in a warm, wet paper towel. Don’t cover their heads — just try to make it where they cannot get out using their legs anytime soon until the cord dries and the yolk is absorbed. Their own legs trying to push can kill them by getting out of the shell too early. This is where I have had my 3 problems.

Noted! Making a little notebook of things!

 

[MarlyMonster]

The 48 hours is the high range after external pip. Externals usually come within 24 hours after internal. But with twins, I would probably make safe holes in less than that, if they haven’t pipped the shell on their own.
Remember, these are all just general guidelines, as silkie1472 said. Some can go much quicker, but some like to take their time. Patience testers.



Great point about the cord. And while I agree with the majority of your posts, I highly disagree with the wet paper towel wrap. My experience has shown that a wet paper towel wrapped around the egg tends to chill the babies and defeats the intended notion of adding moisture. By that time, you want them drying out more so they can break free. Membranes need to be moistened with ointment/oil, but not the shell. Just my 2 cents.


MarlyMonster, I’ll be on the road today, only occasionally checking in to see if there is any progress. Best wishes for an exciting day!!

Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that point so I don’t have to choose what to do cuz I suck at choosing!

 

[MarlyMonster]

Tried to take a picture of 5, it just looks so weird! In some of the eggs I can still see veins but in others I can’t so I don’t know what’s happening! Lowered the humidity just a touch back to 45 in case that’s the problem and will leave it till first show if internal pip