Duckling pipped outside air cell, 17 hours ago. Assistance needed?

[SongsofLore]

This is our first duckling hatch. Only two eggs made it to day 28, but one is out and looks great. The other pipped outside the air bubble. I've left it alone except to turn it so I can observe progress and make a rescue hole in the air bubble area. There appears to be some bruising in the pip area, but its bill is visible now, it's definitely getting air. Initial pip was about 17 hours ago. It was still moving when I checked it this morning. Today is day 29.

 

[SongsofLore]

The membrane looks like it's got some dried blood in it, but the little guy is still moving.

 

[SongsofLore]

You can't tell from the picture because I turned it to get a better view, but the pip is directly opposite the air cell.

 

[SilverBirds]

Since he's externally pipped now, it's fine that he didn't pip into the air sac. I've found bruising to be pretty common in duck eggs. It can be caused by the duckling pushing up against the shell, or he could have hit a blood vessel. I wouldn't worry too much about it, though (unless you are seeing a lot of blood).

 

[SongsofLore]

You can see the bruising and hardened membrane a little better in this picture.

 

[SilverBirds]

You can see the bruising and hardened membrane a little better in this picture.

What is your humidity at?

 

[SongsofLore]

Since he's externally pipped now, it's fine that he didn't pip into the air sac. I've found bruising to be pretty common in duck eggs. It can be caused by the duckling pushing up against the shell, or he could have hit a blood vessel. I wouldn't worry too much about it, though (unless you are seeing a lot of blood).

Thanks for the reply. We started with 8 eggs and lost all but two by day 15, so I'm very much hoping the second one does ok and we don't end up with a flick of one.

 

[SongsofLore]

What is your humidity at?

75 currently. It's been 70ish for the most part.

 

[SilverBirds]

Thanks for the reply. We started with 8 eggs and lost all but two by day 15, so I'm very much hoping the second one does ok and we don't end up with a flick of one.

I'm sorry to here that. Were the eggs shipped?

 

[SongsofLore]

I'm sorry to here that. Were the eggs shipped?

No, they were from our flock. 3 females, one drake. We lost the drake, so we gathered the hens' eggs for the next week in hopes of hatching another male. Minus several that were over or undersized, we ended up with 8.