Duck hatching newbie, HELP! Assisted hatch.

[LizD1]

Hi! I need help and support.
A momma duck was killed and I took in her eggs. It was always questionable whether any would survive. 2 have made it this far. Long story short the two ducklings piped internally 48 hours ago. Last night my husband externally piped the eggs around 8pm. When I came home from work at midnight they were pretty quiet and still. I stayed up til 330 ensuring the humidity rose to 75%. A few hours later, 7am they were still making weak movements with their beak but had not progressed at all and were quiet.
I felt at this point since we had begun assisting in the hatch we needed to continue. ( I posted under the duck forum with no response. )
I have wrapped the eggs loosely in wet paper towels, kept humidity at 75%-80% and every 1 to 2 hours used q tips and warm water to moisten the membrane and duck. Now one looks like it is swelling up. When I tried to stretch its membrane further I saw blood and stopped. I feel stuck.
How can I help these ducks? I just want them to have their best chance.
Any advice would be appreciated, support is great too. I'm becoming an anxious mess here!

 

[Joshua G]

You have done excellent so far by making sure the membrane doesn't dry out, something I wish I knew when I first started incubating.
It is very rare to have a 100% hatch rate so, don't feel bad if a few don't make it.
There is sometimes a little blood when they hatch but, just to be safe I would leave them to hatch on their own, not that I'm against assiting birds to hatch because I do it all the time, however, if there is blood I would leave it for now.
Hope this helps.

 

[LizD1]

Thank you Joshua! I am glad to know I am on the right track. Do you have any idea why the one duckling is swelling inside the shell? Or what I can do?

Liz

 

[Joshua G]

I've never had that problem before, where is the swelling at?

 

[LizD1]

The one duckling seems to be more swollen than the other. I will attach a picture. I am wondering if it is too humid. The other duck isn't swollen though.

 

[LizD1]

Both made it out. The duckling that looked swollen has a weak foot. But it took a long time to absorb it's yolk so hopefully with time it will improve. Here's a picture of the first duckling in the brooder.

 

[Joshua G]

Glad they made it out okay.
You said that one of the ducklings had a weak foot, is it able to walk okay?

 

[LizD1]

Quote: So far duckling number 2 is having a hard time walking. He gets around, but definitely impaired. Do you think it could be related to the stressful hatch? One of his feet had been over his beak and sticking out a bit during the time he needed to finish absorbing his yolk. Any ideas?

 

[chiknhurder]

I'm having my first hatch right now and one thing I've been told by people who have been hatching for many years is that the more you mess with them during hatching, the lower the hatch rate. I had 3 hatch last night (day 20) and 3 today so far with a couple more that have pipped. I'm leave the bator closed until tomorrow evening (48 hours from first one hatching) and take the hatched ones out to put into the brooder.

 

[LizD1]

Thank you for your response chicnhurder! I did not want to go the assisted hatch route. I just felt like it was my only option at the point we were at. The whole process took 3 days!
I agree don't do it unless you're sure they will die otherwise.
I didn't plan on hatching any eggs! I found a nest with a dead and decomposing duck mother and no organization (DNR, humane society, wildlife rehab)would help so I took it upon myself. A crazy decision I know!
Of the 8 eggs only these two survived. Good luck with your first hatch!