Duckling hatching help

[Anabariful]

Today is day 28 for my Silver Appleyard duck eggs! I had them in an incubator for 3 weeks and the last week put them under a hen that went broody hoping she could do a better job than I was. My eggs were shipped and thus all have really bad saddlebag air cells. I candled really early around 6am this morning and some had internally pipped but that's as far as it has gotten. I checked on them again this afternoon and still no progress. I can hear some odd crackling like sounds and movement inside some of the eggs but nothing else.

When should I assist? I have read Sally Sunshine's articles on assisted hatching but am confused. Due to their saddlebag aircells, I have read that they most likely will need assisted but I'm not sure? How long after the internal pip should I create an external one if there isn't one yet? 24-36 hours?

 

[Pyxis]

Saddle aircells do not always need to be assisted. In fact, I've found that most times they hatch perfectly on their own.

You should not create an internal pip on any of them. You can put a safety hole in the eggs if they have not externally pipped after 24 hours.

Ducklings take a really long time to hatch, and the article you read is aimed at chicks, so the timelines presented there are not going to be much help. Also, I know I and many others found that article really confusing when just starting out.

Try this article, it's an assisted hatching guide for all poultry, ducklings included: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/guide-to-assisted-hatching-for-all-poultry.72886/

 

[Anabariful]

Saddle aircells do not always need to be assisted. In fact, I've found that most times they hatch perfectly on their own.

You should not create an internal pip on any of them. You can put a safety hole in the eggs if they have not externally pipped after 24 hours.

Ducklings take a really long time to hatch, and the article you read is aimed at chicks, so the timelines presented there are not going to be much help. Also, I know I and many others found that article really confusing when just starting out.

Try this article, it's an assisted hatching guide for all poultry, ducklings included: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/guide-to-assisted-hatching-for-all-poultry.72886/

Thank you! Sorry if my post was confusing. I was just referring to making an external pip after 24 hours if none had been made yet. Thank you again!

 

[Pyxis]

You're welcome and good luck!