Duck eggs and safety holes

[BelovedBirds]

I start way too many threads, this occassion I am just curious. I figure it can't hurt to ask-
How long after a duckling has internally pipped should a person make a safety hole?
Some people often do this, some people never do- but when is it a good idea to?

I searched online and some people say 24 hours, some say 48.
I only have two duck eggs hatching, and if only one survives I worry for a lone duckling.
So both eggs are very valuble to me- and if needed I will assist.

So that all said, the slightly older egg pipped internally this morning and has been peeping. I'm happy to leave him to it and know they're pretty slow hatchers. But at what point am I safest doing a safety hole IF it absolutely comes to that?

 

[6BeachChicks]

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

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

If they are that important to you I would give them a safety hole 5-7 hours after they have internally pipped if they haven't externally pipped on their own by then.

 

[BelovedBirds]

If they are that important to you I would give them a safety hole 5-7 hours after they have internally pipped if they haven't externally pipped on their own by then.

I'm just worried if I do it too soon- I've heard that once they have a safety hole and fresh air coming in, they don't feel the urge to pip the shell as fast and it can delay the hatch. Generally I think enough time for a natural hatch is best, but wonder how long they can last safely without an external pip. It seems to have many different opinions!

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

I'm just worried if I do it too soon- I've heard that once they have a safety hole and fresh air coming in, they don't feel the urge to pip the shell as fast and it can delay the hatch. Generally I think enough time for a natural hatch is best, but wonder how long they can last safely without an external pip. It seems to have many different opinions!

Ok. Do what you want.
I've hatched hundreds of duck eggs. Ducks take a long time to hatch out. If I had only 2 duck eggs and didn't want to lose any, I'd do the safety holes for that reason.

 

[BelovedBirds]

Ok. Do what you want.
I've hatched hundreds of duck eggs. Ducks take a long time to hatch out. If I had only 2 duck eggs and didn't want to lose any, I'd do the safety holes for that reason.

He's just pipped the shell!
Quick question, he pipped the underside of the shell, thereabouts, to one side. Is he okay like this or should I flip the egg over carefully so that the pip is at the top? I've heard it can make zipping harder or risk suffocation.
My climate is pretty dry though and I dont want to let the humidity out of the incubator. What do you think? I attached a photo, the pip is on the bottom left.

 

[BelovedBirds]

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

He pipped the shell! I'm so happy This is very exciting

 

[6BeachChicks]

He pipped the shell! I'm so happy This is very exciting

I’m so happy for you!

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

He's just pipped the shell!
Quick question, he pipped the underside of the shell, thereabouts, to one side. Is he okay like this or should I flip the egg over carefully so that the pip is at the top? I've heard it can make zipping harder or risk suffocation.
My climate is pretty dry though and I dont want to let the humidity out of the incubator. What do you think? I attached a photo, the pip is on the bottom left.

It should be fine the way it is just leave it be. Did you up your humidity?