Duck egg with dark circle

[momofseven]

Hi,
We’re hatching duck eggs, Indian runners, and are on day 25.
We just noticed 4 eggs with a dark circle, any idea what that could be?
There’s still movement in the eggs.
Also, the air sac is horizontal instead of at the end of the egg?

 

[LynnaePB]

I've seen this when reading assisting articles. it looks like the duckling is at the narrow end of the egg and tried to pip there but couldn't hence the bruise.

I'm not sure if this needs assistance or not but from the article it looks like it might. Go down to the section "Head in Wrong End of Egg" and you'll learn how to help if needed. I'd read all the way through and decide what to do, this article has been immensely helpful to me when assisting chicks.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/guide-to-assisted-hatching-for-all-poultry.72886/

 

[momofseven]

its only day 25 though, I don’t see any external pips yet.

 

[LynnaePB]

its only day 25 though, I don’t see any external pips yet.

From what I've heard ducks can take a long time to hatch so internally pipping at day 25 may be somewhat normal. I'm afraid I don't have much experience with ducks so hopefully someone more experienced with them can help.

What I do know is that since they are in the wrong end of the egg their external pip and internal pip act as one and the same so they will likely externally pip sooner than a chick that is in the correct end of the egg and has access to the air cell to pip into. I do hope someone with more duck experience will be along to help. Since they have tried to pip but were unable to I don't know how long they can go without access to air, it's important for them to have time to acclimate their lungs to breathing.

Pyxis who wrote the article likely knows more and what is best to do.

@Pyxis I hope it is alright to ping you, can you help advise in this situation?

 

[momofseven]

Between my last post and yours, 2 ducks pipped externally and both in that exact spot
Ive had them hatch at the wrong end before, but never seen/noticed that ring before.
We’ll see if they need help. Last batch one came out by itself and 2 needed help.

Thanks for commenting though!

 

[LynnaePB]

Between my last post and yours, 2 ducks popped externally and both in that exact spot
Ive had them hatch at the wrong end before, but never seen/noticed that ring before.
We’ll see if they need help. Last batch one came out by itself and 2 needed help.

Thanks for commenting though!

Oh good I'm so glad they kept at it and managed to get through on their own! Hopefully they will be able to do the rest as well!