Duck not externally piping

[Kellers-baby-quacks]

I have been excitedly waiting for one of my eggs to hatch but it's looking like it's not strong enough to hatch. I have been watching it since it internally pipped on Monday at 4 pm, so this it the third day now. Do I need to help it? I know I would need to cut an x and get the smell out. This is a pekin duck, by the way. I also have a few more coming soon but this is my first ever egg so I am trying so hard to keep it alive. Also, I have seen it peck on the side of the egg and I could slightly feel it. Thanks for any feedback!

 

[Pyxis]

If it's been three days since it internally pipped, then yes, it needs a safety hole. Have you candled to make sure it's still alive? Generally they have enough air in the air cell to last a little over 24 hours, and if it hasn't progressed beyond internal pip for 24 hours, you want to put a safety hole in ASAP.

This article should help you with assisted hatches, and it has a section about how to do the safety hole:

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

 

[Kellers-baby-quacks]

Thank you! I have candled and it's alive but it looks like it's getting weaker. It has been around 62 hours since I first saw it do the internal pip. I am going to carefully make the safety hole in it after reading that site. Thank you!