Ducklings about the hatch, help!

[WVduckchick]

Agreed. Watch the membrane around the pip. As long as it stays white or grayish looking, he's probably fine. Brown would indicate drying out, so just keep an eye on him. The egg shaking is really good!

Now I'm gonna watch the video lol

 

[WVduckchick]

[VIDEO][/VIDEO]

At 1:11 you can hear Nemo peep

Head him peep a few times and saw movement too. Looking good!

 

[Socc04b]

I got this pic, but it's hard to really tell. I turned on the shower and heater in the bathroom to the point I was covered in condensation (actually probably sweat), so I could take him out of the bator. I think I am looking at the inner membrane. His beak is definitely out of it, but it looks like the rest is around his body and at least partially pulled away from the shell. I could fit a moistened qtip between it and the shell. I moistened this and the white membrane around the opening with a warm wet qtip. He is still breathing, no peeping right now. Also the whit membrane is turning a light yellow around the edges

 

[Miss Lydia]

I got this pic, but it's hard to really tell. I turned on the shower and heater in the bathroom to the point I was covered in condensation (actually probably sweat), so I could take him out of the bator. I think I am looking at the inner membrane. His beak is definitely out of it, but it looks like the rest is around his body and at least partially pulled away from the shell. I could fit a moistened qtip between it and the shell. I moistened this and the white membrane around the opening with a warm wet qtip. He is still breathing, no peeping right now. Also the whit membrane is turning a light yellow around the edges

@RavynFallen
@WVduckchick

 

[Socc04b]

I pulled a few small bits of shell along the crack he made, but left the white membrane. He is back in incubator. He did peep once. I have no idea if it sounds weak or distressed

. I got a video of him still moving. It may show what I think is the inner membrane a little better.
Thanks again for everyone helping us!

 

[WVduckchick]

Ok your next step of assistance, and there is no rush to do this, just when you feel the time has come... is to chip the shell off of the fat end of the egg, where the air cell is, and where the membrane has pulled away from the shell. Dont remove the membrane until you moisten it and check for active blood vessels. If you see blood, stop. Anytime any bleeding might occur, stop. But if all veins look absorbed, you can proceed to remove the membrane from that end, starting near the pip and working your way out. Dont pull him out. Let him do that part when he's ready. I'll see if I can find a pic, if you think you need it.

 

[Socc04b]

Thanks so much. I will let him rest a bit since I just inspected him, then proceed. I looked at a few of the other threads and have seen a few pics of removing the shell at the bottom. Do I do everything in the humid bathroom to try to keep his temp and moisture up when he's out of the bator?

 

[WVduckchick]

You can, but its not terribly necessary. Just work as quickly and carefully as you can.

And yes, I'd let him rest a bit, until you can't stand it any longer lol! He could still make it out on his own.

Goooooo Nemo!

 

[Socc04b]

Is there anyway to tell before proceeding if his yolk has been fully absorbed? Just for peace of mind. I don't want to help too early, but I don't want to wait too long either!

 

[WVduckchick]

Is there anyway to tell before proceeding if his yolk has been fully absorbed? Just for peace of mind. I don't want to help too early, but I don't want to wait too long either!

Its a fine line, I know. They are so balled up in there, you really can't tell until you open it up some.
But, the way they are laying is their back is down, toward the membrane/shell, back of the neck is up by the air cell, head folded forward, beak under left wing. Legs wherever they can go lol! So the butt is near in the pointy end, belly/yolk in the center. Clear as mud? Lol