Duck eggs 40hrs since external pip

[Jelly1]

Hi everyone
I am incubating Indian runner duck eggs and the first one that pipped did 40hrs ago and not hatched yet. None have yet. I can hear it and it responds to me talking. I haven’t opened the lid at all. The type of incubator I’m using doesn’t tell me the humidity so I have bought a cheap digital one. I have followed the instructions for the incubator also. I really don’t want to have to help it. This is its progress. Shall I wait it out or give it a hand?

 

[CalBickieMomma]

I’m by no means an expert on hatching ducklings, but we used to hatch a few when I was a kid. I’ve helped ducklings, chicks, and turkeys out of eggs before, and what I do now is gently and carefully chip away the outer shell along the line (circumference of the egg) the baby would follow if she were cracking the egg from inside. Then I very carefully trim through the membrane with a small pair of scissors or some small, sharp knife (be VERY careful if you end up doing this - you don’t want to cut the baby or anything vital). This way, all the Little has to do to get out is to push.
I‘m not sure how long is too long between pipping and hatching in ducklings (you might still be in the safe zone), but my philosophy is that if it’s well beyond the time the baby should be out, go ahead and help because if he/she can’t finish hatching he/she’s doomed anyway.
If you can wait for an expert to comment, that would be best (since they know a lot more than me), but if it were me, I’d help the baby out when I thought it had been too long. Hope the little guy is able to get out and is healthy! Good luck!