Duck Egg hatching worries

[chaddyville]

Hi.
We did float test and one sank one low floated but very little movement and one low floated and was wiggling everywhere. Still no sign of internal pip unless we're just not seeing it

I don't know what to suggest at this point. It's not something I've come across I'm afraid. With the ones I've hatched the problems I've had have been they've either died early or died in shell usually because of lack of humidity in my incubator. It's obviously still alive. I'd be tempted to use the tweezers to try and make a small hole in the shell to help it breathe at this late stage. But it's very risky doing this in case you nick a vein and it bleeds. How are the two that have pipped doing?

 

[ElleenLee]

I don't know what to suggest at this point. It's not something I've come across I'm afraid. With the ones I've hatched the problems I've had have been they've either died early or died in shell usually because of lack of humidity in my incubator. It's obviously still alive. I'd be tempted to use the tweezers to try and make a small hole in the shell to help it breathe at this late stage. But it's very risky doing this in case you nick a vein and it bleeds. How are the two that have pipped doing?

here are the two that are nearly out. We've intervened taking bits of shell off and then putting them back. Both are opening eyes breathing and cheaping so we're just being patient hoping they can get themselves out when they build up the energy

 

[chaddyville]

here are the two that are nearly out. We've intervened taking bits of shell off and then putting them back. Both are opening eyes breathing and cheaping so we're just being patient hoping they can get themselves out when they build up the energy

They look great! It might be that you'll have to do the same for the one that's wriggling in the water too. Did you have the eggs delivered?

 

[ElleenLee]

They look great! It might be that you'll have to do the same for the one that's wriggling in the water too. Did you have the eggs delivered?

Yes they were shipped eggs x

 

[chaddyville]

Yes they were shipped eggs x

The most likely problem is they got a bit too jiggled about in the post so the air sack isn't where it should be. My first 2 lots of Welsh Harlequins were from shipped eggs and in both lots I only ended up with two ducklings each time out of six eggs. Happily I ended up with one drake and three ducks from them first two lots of eggs and I can now hatch my own duck eggs from their own eggs. Hopefully you'll be able too do this too in a little time.

 

[ElleenLee]

The most likely problem is they got a bit too jiggled about in the post so the air sack isn't where it should be. My first 2 lots of Welsh Harlequins were from shipped eggs and in both lots I only ended up with two ducklings each time out of six eggs. Happily I ended up with one drake and three ducks from them first two lots of eggs and I can now hatch my own duck eggs from their own eggs. Hopefully you'll be able too do this too in a little time.

we were hoping for one drake and the rest ducks. But looks like these two are both drakes

 

[chaddyville]

we were hoping for one drake and the rest ducks. But looks like these two are both drakes

I was a little disheartened after my first attempt but you do have two and hopefully three healthy duckings. Are you going to try and hatch some more? It takes time and effort I know and i was exceptionally fortunate with my 2nd hatch being 2 girls but when you do get the girls you want it's great. If you hatch too many drakes advertise them on preloved and if you get no takers contact someone who is advertising on there asking for unwanted poultry. There's always someone on there offering homes to unwanted ducks. I've just had someone pick up two drakes today that I didn't have room for.

 

[ElleenLee]

I was a little disheartened after my first attempt but you do have two and hopefully three healthy duckings. Are you going to try and hatch some more? It takes time and effort I know and i was exceptionally fortunate with my 2nd hatch being 2 girls but when you do get the girls you want it's great. If you hatch too many drakes advertise them on preloved and if you get no takers contact someone who is advertising on there asking for unwanted poultry. There's always someone on there offering homes to unwanted ducks. I've just had someone pick up two drakes today that I didn't have room for.

we now have two fluffy little duckling going to float test the other eggs again today and intervene if any sign of life

 

[chaddyville]

we now have two fluffy little duckling going to float test the other eggs again today and intervene if any sign of life

Aaaw how cute! Congratulations.

 

[hanjj033]

I went through all the same worries when I hatched my first batch of eggs. I had two hatch about 3 days after the main lot hatched, so my advice would be just to leave the wriggling duckling, it knows when its ready to come out. I also had about half of my eggs not hatch at all which was disheartening, but the ducklings you've got look adorable!