Double Yolk Incubation Research Project

[HennyPenny2019]

5 is gone.....

I opened up the egg all the way and there was this tiny, perfect, fully formed little duckling in there... I’ve never felt this sad in my life, just seeing this poor little thing in there seemingly healthy yet still dead. He was breach though, his head was towards the narrow end and his feet were by the air cell. I’m guessing maybe he tried to hatch but couldn’t? He was a single in there (no clue how two would fit cuz he really took up ALL the room!) so I thought he’d be able to do it but I guess I was wrong
Unabsorbed yolk sack too.

Sad

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Awwww .... so sorry. I am marathon reading to catch up .. hoping things end up better.

 

[HennyPenny2019]

So sorry, I just caught up. I was gone all day yesterday, chores to do today.
Sorry that little one was dead. Looks at least a few days dead, that’s a pretty big yolk sac.

As far as moving eggs.... I had a hen at my farm (45 minute drive) kill a couple hatchlings, so I took the remaining 4 eggs. I nestled them in a plastic butter bowl, wedged with paper towels, and drove home with it between my thighs.
I spun the bowl a few times so the eggs got warmth from my legs. I think all 4 hatched, maybe just 3. It’s been a couple years lol

But I still wouldn’t suggest moving these duck eggs. Just hope for the best.

LOVE this Good ol’ WV ingenuity.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

No worries! Best show ever haha. Though I’m heart broken Abby is gone

Me too. The only originals are Gibbs and Ducky, since Tim wasn't part of the original team.
I have a feeling that we're working towards Gibbs' retirement.

 

[HennyPenny2019]

WE HAVE A BABY I REPEAT WE HAVE A BABY!!!!!!

Not a double but still!!!

I was giving him a hand coming out and he seemed really eager to come out, so I made a hole for him and put him back, and he immediately kicked himself free and came out! Thank GOD the yolk was fully absorbed!

He’s kinda flailing around in there but I’m guessing that’s normal having been folded like a pretzel for 5 weeks?

Haven’t checked the others yet because I wanna make sure the temp and humidity are high enough while little Gulliver recovers. Yay little ducky!!

Woot Woot! So relieved. Now reading on ...

 

[MarlyMonster]

Me too. The only originals are Gibbs and Ducky, since Tim wasn't part of the original team.
I have a feeling that we're working towards Gibbs' retirement.

I thought Ducky was already gone too? I honestly stopped watching midway season 15, I don’t wanna go on without Abby

 

[HennyPenny2019]

So I opened them up and first of all, holy crap it’s a tight fit in there for two babies! I peeled away the shell and had trouble pulling the babies apart, they were so tightly tangled. All of them still had an unabsorbed yolk sack as you can see, though I accidentally poked a hole in one while removing the membrane so that’s my fault. They were beautifully developed but just didn’t make it

With one pair I feel like one died earlier and poisoned the other because it seemed a bit more mushy.

However, I’ve learned from this and intend to do it differently next time, so I guess that’s something

Next endeavor will be twins-in-a-cup! Though I’m gonna need a little while to recover from this emotionally I think cuz damn does it sting when they pass away!
Now I have one lone duckling I have to figure out what to do with. Giving it away to the home I found in advance doesn’t seem likely because I’m not about to put all my love and care into this baby only to give it away. And keeping it puts me in a slightly difficult spot because I’ll be going back to school this summer and they frown upon bringing birds across the ocean lol. If it was twins I would have possibly been able to classify them as research subjects but this little guy doesn’t really fall under that. Guess I have some figuring out to do!

Will post baby pictures once Gulliver fluffs up btw

This has been so interesting but also heartbreaking to me. The pictures, IMO prove that nature doesn’t intend for there to be two chicks in one egg. The pictures that showed one rather NormaL duckling and one smaller but “ normal” really wrenched at my heart. I’m glad you at least got the one.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

I thought Ducky was already gone too? I honestly stopped watching midway season 15, I don’t wanna go on without Abby

Last season he was barely around, I'm not sure if he was in the title credits, I'd have to check. This season I know he's in the title credits and he's been showing up more regularly.

 

[MarlyMonster]

This has been so interesting but also heartbreaking to me. The pictures, IMO prove that nature doesn’t intend for there to be two chicks in one egg. The pictures that showed one rather NormaL duckling and one smaller but “ normal” really wrenched at my heart. I’m glad you at least got the one.

I think that’s what got to me the most, the fact that they looked so *normal* y’know? Like they could have become happy little chicks had they hung on a little longer. I really think it’s a space thing though. So while this was heartbreaking I did definitely learn from it and I’ve already designed a modified experiment for the next round. You’re right though, nature doesn’t intend for doubles to survive. But in this day and age with all our advances in science in other fields I believe it’s time for a way to ensure doubles survive. You never know what it could be handy for! I know it doesn’t occur much but like what if a rare nearly extinct bird lays a double? Instead of it being doomed it could grow to term and you’d have an extra bird of that species to help it stay alive! It might be a pipe dream but I’m determined to at least try and see if I can do it

 

[MarlyMonster]

Last season he was barely around, I'm not sure if he was in the title credits, I'd have to check. This season I know he's in the title credits and he's been showing up more regularly.

Oh good! He’s one of my favorites. I considered naming a baby after him but calling a duck Ducky seemed a bit uninspired
I actually considered calling Tony Dorney because Dornigate was one of my favorites too

 

[Frazzemrat1]

Oh good! He’s one of my favorites. I considered naming a baby after him but calling a duck Ducky seemed a bit uninspired
I actually considered calling Tony Dorney because Dornigate was one of my favorites too

for a character who never made the title, was a guest actor, he had so much growth and development. I think we all loved Dorney... I know I certainly cried when he was killed, and when he came home.