Duck Egg Day 31- I feared the worst...

[curious1969]

Sending positive hatching vibes your way

 

[knah24]

Well, Day 32- 24 hours after pip no progress so I attempted to "assist".
The ducklings appeared to be shrink wrapped. The membrane was very tough and white. Two had piped below the air sac. I could hear them. I broke away shell but there was quite a bit of blood. They only lived a short while. I did not take off all the shell but attempted to free their beaks and head. Two reamained curled in the shell breathing but making no attempt to get out. They died quickly.
This is the most horrifying experience. I really feel horrible about not providing the environment they needed. Right now I have 3 completely out of the shell. One is very active walking on top of everybody else. The other was dragging a piece of shell still connected by veins. When it detached there was quited a bit of blood.
I am fearing the worst.

Humidity seems to be much more a factor. Perhaps my thermometer is reading incorrectly leading to the late hatch. The dead ducklings head was bent down far below the air sac. It looks like they could not move.

Afraid of what the morning will bring.

Thanks for the support and being a much needed "ear"

Jody the "Rookie"

 

[ChickieBooBoo]

Sounds like your temp was too low throughout the incubation and your humidity was too low for the hatch. You also mentioned that you "assisted" some of the eggs, I'm assuming you had to open the incubator to get at the eggs? This might have caused the shrink wrapping. Once you put the incubator into lockdown you shouldn't open it again until after the hatch unless its absoulutly necessary. The humidity level will drop very quickly and take much longer to recover.

 

[knah24]

The ducklings pipped below the air sac. What would cause that?

Agree that their was loss of humidity. My fault, but is this only after lock down?

The air sac had reached nearly half in some of the eggs. The ducklings were so tight, feet across eyes. beak below feet and below air sac.

Two are wobbling around, not drying off in tha humid incubator, 12 hours later.

Two are breathing but not able to stand.

The others never made it out of the "assisted" opening.

Wow. I really BLEW IT.

 

[MamaMarcy]

Don't beat yourself up. I'm new to hatching (first emerged less than 2 hours ago)...but I know it's not easy and I hope you go on to try again. I opened an egg that was 4 days from hatch (with candling over the course of 3 days I could tell I had lost him). He was PERFECT, but had died on his own late development. I cried. He was very special to me, the baby of 2 of my own flock. I can't even imagine how much harder it'd be if he had been alive and I had "caused" his death. Know in your heart you didn't mean to hurt anay of them, ok? Love to ya...

 

[ChickieBooBoo]

Agree that their was loss of humidity. My fault, but is this only after lock down?

Humidity is important throughout the incubation, not just at lockdown. You mentioned that the air sac was occupying about half of the egg? Thats a sign of too low humidity throughout the entire incubator, not just lockdown.

Two are wobbling around, not drying off in tha humid incubator, 12 hours later.

In my experience, late hatched birds sometimes have this sticky stuff (not sure what you'd call it) stuck to their down. It doesn't dry into fluff, it hardens on the birds skin. You may have to wash it off with some warm water.

Wow. I really BLEW IT.

Don't beat yourself up, it takes a few trial runs to get the hang of it. What kind of incubator are you using? My very first incubator was a Brinsea Mini Advance, its almost completly automatic and holds the temp really well.​

 

[knah24]

THE AFTERMATH: 3 survivors. Fluffy, eating, drinking, bobbling around. Two of the survivors have a problem fully opening their left foot. This foot problem makes for difficult walking. Is there something I can do that will help? Is this a common problem???

Appreciate all the support. This emotional roller coaster has been tough. Don't know if I will ever do it again. Better to have ducks with Mama's then trust a human and a box.

Much appreciation!!!!