Pics
Do whatever WVduckchick says shes smart! :p

It looks like theres two air pockets in #5..? Or is that just a bad picture maybe? The lighter space where the “O” is looks like an air bubble kind of, if so that egg doesnt look too promising, but maybe its just the way it looks in the picture.

I wouldnt lower the humidity personally, yellow in the aircell doesnt always mean too much moisture, it could just be a result of the embryo passing and the healthy membrane changing color as its starting to decay. I think you run more risks (at this stage in incubation only) with lower humidity.

Also if you said you saw a bruise on #10 perhaps one of the ducklings was attempting to get out from the other end and failed :( . If you’re confident that it passed you can open it to help troubleshoot the issue and get an idea of what might be going on in the other eggs and the positioning. You can learn a lot (or very little) from why an egg didnt make it.

How many eggs are in the incubator at this point?

If you’re uncertain about something you can always take a picture so we can chime in with our best guesses.
 
Do whatever WVduckchick says shes smart! :p

It looks like theres two air pockets in #5..? Or is that just a bad picture maybe? The lighter space where the “O” is looks like an air bubble kind of, if so that egg doesnt look too promising, but maybe its just the way it looks in the picture.

I wouldnt lower the humidity personally, yellow in the aircell doesnt always mean too much moisture, it could just be a result of the embryo passing and the healthy membrane changing color as its starting to decay. I think you run more risks (at this stage in incubation only) with lower humidity.

Also if you said you saw a bruise on #10 perhaps one of the ducklings was attempting to get out from the other end and failed :( . If you’re confident that it passed you can open it to help troubleshoot the issue and get an idea of what might be going on in the other eggs and the positioning. You can learn a lot (or very little) from why an egg didnt make it.

How many eggs are in the incubator at this point?

If you’re uncertain about something you can always take a picture so we can chime in with our best guesses.

The bright part is the original air cell but you’re right, it looks like it’s sort of continued in a way? The part where the O is looks more like an air cell in person as well.

Opening up is something I thought about but I’m too scared of being wrong and killing a healthy baby :’(

Good point on humidity, I’ll turn it back up!

Will definitely share pics when I’m unsure, cuz I have absolutely no idea what I’m doing!
 
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. :D



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!!
Yes, you are right 100% about the towel being able to chill the duckling. There was a bit of a misconception when I wrote this and a lack of description on my part. The towel is just to calm the bird down after you have traumatized it (removing the eggshell can’t be comfortable on the bird). You do not leave the towels on for extended periods of time because, yes, they do cool in an incubator. The cord that I spoke of, however, will begin to dry regardless of the humidity once an abundance of oxygen has reached it. The wet towel is to attempt to keep the membrane pretty moist and the young bird in place for a process that usually takes me <2 hours. You may have to change the towel a few times. I use thermal optics to determine when to do so.
 
I've been there with questionable eggs before. I've always poked a 1-2cm "peep hole" in the middle of the air cell. Enough to look through and look for movement under the membrane.
The chicks that I did that with were always presumed, and were, dead.
 
I've been there with questionable eggs before. I've always poked a 1-2cm "peep hole" in the middle of the air cell. Enough to look through and look for movement under the membrane.
The chicks that I did that with were always presumed, and were, dead.

Sad :(
I hope this isn’t the case for these guys, I’d be heartbroken knowing they made it this far and then died because of something I may have done wrong :(
 
Yes, you are right 100% about the towel being able to chill the duckling. There was a bit of a misconception when I wrote this and a lack of description on my part. The towel is just to calm the bird down after you have traumatized it (removing the eggshell can’t be comfortable on the bird). You do not leave the towels on for extended periods of time because, yes, they do cool in an incubator. The cord that I spoke of, however, will begin to dry regardless of the humidity once an abundance of oxygen has reached it. The wet towel is to attempt to keep the membrane pretty moist and the young bird in place for a process that usually takes me <2 hours. You may have to change the towel a few times. I use thermal optics to determine when to do so.

Hopefully it won’t come to this because it sounds scary and complicated :oops:
 
I hope this isn’t the case for these guys, I’d be heartbroken knowing they made it this far and then died because of something I may have done wrong
Realizing of course, from the beginning, that double yolkers are at high risk for loss/failure.....especially for someone who has no incubation experience?
Give yourself a break, and remember that....
Researchers need to compartmentalize the tenderness from the scientific pragmatism. ;)
 
Realizing of course, from the beginning, that double yolkers are at high risk for loss/failure.....especially for someone who has no incubation experience?
Give yourself a break, and remember that....
Researchers need to compartmentalize the tenderness from the scientific pragmatism. ;)

I know but they’ve been doing so well I’m really hoping they’ll make it!

Also not my style, I’m always attached to everything I do :love
It’s why I’m so passionate about my endeavors so I’d rather be too attached and heartbroken than not attached at all :fl
 

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