Finally an external pip

[FunnyBunnies12]

Are there any other eggs piped? If there is you probably should leave that one alone so you don't endanger the other piped ones if there is any, otherwise I'm no expert I'm just trying to think what Katharina would tell me, this might be the time to intervene. I couldn't intervene and help the 1 egg that didn't make it because there were others that were piped and I couldn't open the incubator, I had to make that choice, do I want to endanger the ones that are piped and zipping and possible shrink wrap to get into the egg that isn't showing any signs. Since this one is showing signs and pipping, I would wait it out, it's getting air, maybe it's unabsorbed yolk, not sure. But wait to see what Katharina says. She has been the ultimate helper. To me, what she says goes!

 

[davekrista]

Quote:
Thanks Missy. There are 2 other eggs with no visible signs of pipping. Not sure though, one that is already hatched had no signs either and poked its beak out and hatched in less than 30 min, so who knows. I hope katherina or others see this that can clue me in on if this will make it. I am going to go try to see through the fogged glass right now to see whats going on.

 

[davekrista]

Well they kicked the egg and I was able to get a better look at the hole where its trying to get out. When it pushes to try to get out, I don't see a bill and it almost looks like it is backwards in there.

 

[FunnyBunnies12]

Then follow your gut, the goo could be the yolk and or membrane and it can't get out. If there is no other pips, I would go in an intervene/assist. Do it carefully and quickly as to not lose to much humidity just in case, but at 90% humidity, I think you'll be fine, my humidity jumped sky high during hatching. But JMHO, I know what I would do if none of the others were pip and one appeared to be backwards.

 

[davekrista]

Quote:
Its funny you said that, before I read this I did open and removed shells from the other 2 and while the 3rd was pushing I helped take the top part of the egg off. Poor thing was definately stuck, and now its half out and working on the other half.

I think I will end up with atleast 3 healthy ducklings. And then I will keep an eye on the other 2 to see whats going on with them. Today is day 30, how long should I wait on them?

 

[FunnyBunnies12]

I think Katharina would at this point tell me to externally pip them put them back and see what happens, however if you candle them 1st, and this is just me and what I did so I wouldn't hit the head, candle them to see if I saw the head or a air space to start and go from there, the way I could tell they weren't alive most of the time was the egg would cool in my hand a lot quicker then the others, you'll know and if you pip it and look for breathing or sound, and you gentally poke it, and no movement, that is how I could tell I didn't have a live baby.

 

[davekrista]

Quote:
Thanks Missy. I think I will wait a little while and see what happens. All 3 are sleeping right now and are drying off and I don't want to disturb them but will consider it in a little while.

 

[katharinad]

Looks like you didn't need my help after all. It's all a timing game, and you cannot be afraid of saying I will intervene. I know that are many out here that say don't, but look now you have some healthy little ones that probably would have not made it. The thing is, if they are not out withing 48 hours after piping externally that most likely they are shrink wrapped. This does not really mean they are weak, this means the membranes are very thick and perhaps the humidity wasn't 100%. I had a "hard hatch", that is what I call it, this spring. Only 2 made it out by themselves and I had to help the rest. I saved 9 ducklings! Unfortunately I did miss the window on one, because I did not see when it piped. A good way of telling, rather then candling, is to hold the egg to your ear. It should make tapping or scratching sounds after being picked up. You should investigate the last egg at this point, since all have hatched.

 

[davekrista]

Quote:
There are 2 that have not pipped that I have left. I candled quick because I didn't want to drop temp/humidity and 1 was moving and I could feel light tapping and 1 I didn't see moving but was having trouble with my flash light. I gotta get my 5 y/o ready for the bus but will investigate further once things settle a bit here. The one that is moving should I help it? Its day 30 and has not pipped. Or should I just see what happens?

 

[katharinad]

I would pip it now, since it is day 30 already and the rest are save and sound. Don't worry about the humidity drop. This is more damaging to the ones that have piped and those that haven't. The one that sound weak will eventually run out of air. So I would pip the air sack and actually make the hole large enough to look inside. It may be ready like the others. The one without sound etc may be a loss, but you have that feeling already. You are right get your girl out of the house so she does not see anything negative, since she is still so young. She will have more joy seeing the babies outside of the eggs hopping around.