Dry Membrane after zip

[tia]

Good morning!!! My Ancona ducks are hatching. They are pipping and zipping, but the membrane is becoming hard pretty quick and they are having a hard time getting out. I have the humidity at 65. Should I make it higher. I have some runner duck eggs that haven't pipped yet. Tomorrow will be day 28. Do you think with a rest they will break through that zipped membrane. They must be missing a few parts of the membrane while zipping. I have them in egg cartons, so they are upright. Hope this is not too confusing.

 

[Iain Utah]

They should be laying down sideways. Humidity should be 75-80%. Otherwise, they will get stuck and not make it. Act quickly. Use hot water soaked sponges. Try to slip them in fast to not lose what humidity you have.

 

[StacyLR02]

The same thing is happening to my mallards do you know how to assist a hatch I have no clue?

 

[Iain Utah]

Here is a link that is found in the duck sticky section for how/when to assist hatching.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...days-ago-but-no-external-pip-yet#post_8686492

 

[QuackerJackFarms]

Yes they need to be on their sides for sure. Do what Utah said. Give them til the end of today to get out before you help.

Stacy- Welcome to BYC.

 

[tia]

Five have hatched so far. Once they were ready to come out....they just pushed their way out. They really weren't due to hatch until tomorrow. The runners haven't hatched yet, but they are sometimes a little longer. Every once in a while I help - but not often. Sometimes it works well... sometimes not so well.

 

[tia]

 

[tia]

First time I have hatched Anconas. They are such pretty little ducklings. I love them already.

 

[Iain Utah]

Congrats! They are beautiful!

 

[tia]

Thanks!!! One more picture - They found the water dish....were in for it now.