Ducklings internally pipping then dying before they externally pip?

[casportpony]

Right. We had large nests. It’s my first time, too. Already decided we would take some if they have this many again.

20 eggs is a huge nest and even the most experienced broody would have a hard time incubating that many. Sorry you lost some.

 

[CayugaJana]

Very good point. I didn't realise that either about the egg shell size.
Makes perfect sense.

Ravynscroft told me about it. And now I’ve paid attention to the size of eggs and she’s right of course.

 

[chickens really]

Egg size doesn't matter because the only grow to accommodate the egg..Air cells are what matters. I hatched a Tiny Call from a tiny egg and it's doing great and is now almost 5 months old..

 

[shawluvsbirds]

one of my tiny call eggs hatched also. But it wasn't the mama ducks first laying season. This one above is from the same batch as Janas and it did appear that the duck was too big for the shell. The air cell was a bit smaller but not extremely smaller. . when I finally decided to open it it's bill was pressed right up against the shell with no room to move.
It had of course ran out of air and space and expired.

 

[casportpony]

Small pullet eggs often don't allow enough space inside for the chick to develop

https://www.fresheggsdaily.com/2015/03/hatching-dos-and-donts-egg-selection.html

Some good info in that link.

 

[chickens really]

View attachment 1403125 one of my tiny call eggs hatched also. But it wasn't the mama ducks first laying season. This one above is from the same batch as Janas and it did appear that the duck was too big for the shell. The air cell was a bit smaller but not extremely smaller. . when I finally decided to open it it's bill was pressed right up against the shell with no room to move.
It had of course ran out of air and space and expired.

Air cell was too small. Mine came from a super tiny egg and lived. They do actually accomidate the egg. Ask a Vet or people that have hatched them..

 

[Breemae123]

I have one nest that was pretty big (~20). Last two days I go out there and she had a few eggs kicked out of the nest. I candle them and I can see that many internally pipped but then died.

Why are they dying before they fully hatch? They eat all-natural feed 16% protein lay pellets (other than the fresh vegetables they get). I read if they have too much protein it can make it hard for them to hatch.

Is 16% protein feed too much?

Lost 2 more today. These externally pipped and then died. I can see their little beaks poking out. I haven’t seen her sitting on it much today.

I was just standing here and she started biting at this egg that started to hatch (looked like it already is dead though)...?

 

[Breemae123]

https://www.fresheggsdaily.com/2015/03/hatching-dos-and-donts-egg-selection.html

Some good info in that link.

Thank you. This will help when I need to remove some to prevent nests getting too big. I am not incubating my eggs. Just letting the momma’s do their thing.

 

[casportpony]

Thank you. This will help when I need to remove some to prevent nests getting too big. I am not incubating my eggs. Just letting the momma’s do their thing.

FWIW, today I checked a few of my Muscovy nests, two had 15 eggs, and one of those hens wasn't covering three eggs.