Finally an external pip

[davekrista]

Quote:
Bus should be here about 15-20 min then I will get my 3 y/o lunch and pip while he is eathing. The 3 that have hatched, when should I move them to the brooder? And when to feed and water? 2 of the 3 are pretty dry but the 3rd one isn't quite dry yet.

 

[katharinad]

Leave them in for at least 4 hours. Do you have your electrolytes/vitamins/minerals ready? The should be mixed up with their drinking water and you should make them take a sip before you move them into the brooder. At that time you can grind up of duck food and mix one a few teaspoons of the feed with the amended water. They should get only this type of water for their first 10 days. If you don't have it give them regular water until you pick some up at the feed store. Keep them on the mush food for the first 3 days and then move on to crumbles. I never buy starter feed, because they need so little and out grow it in days. I go straight to the grower/developer mix with 17% protein. The key is adding the electrolytes/vitamins/minerals to the water. They need the extras in it.

 

[davekrista]

Quote:
Yes I do that everything I need. Although I have not mixed it up yet but will. My son is having lunch so I am going to go pip that egg while he is busy. What temp should brooder be. Was it 92?

 

[katharinad]

92 is fine. I go for whatever the 100 watt light bulb from about 2 feet above gives me. Its usually somewhere around 90-95. Just take a look at their behavior. If they huddle really tightly then they want more heat. They move away then they want less. Only heat the one half of the brooder so they can move to where they feel comfy.

BTW I store my mixed water in the fridge and warm a little bit at a time in the microwave before serving. The key is to mix it with the finger to make sure the temperature is just right and nobody can get burned. It only needs to be around room temp when serving.

 

[davekrista]

OK Katherina (or anyone that can help) I pipped both eggs and they are both moving. 1 not that much. Both are shrink wrapped, how do i help?

1 has his bill out the other I can't see.... the one i can't see is not moving that much... the one with the bill out is peeping very softly

 

[katharinad]

They get weaker when they are shrink wrapped and eventually pass away. So I would say help them. Have some paper towels on hand. Start peeling away 1/4 of the shell starting from the air sack. Once done slowly peel back the membrane. Stop if it you see blood and put them back into the incubator for 3 hours. No blood continue to remove the shell back to the half mark. Again peel back the membrane. Do NOT pull out the duckling or you may hurt it. Simply put it back into the incubator and let it do the rest by itself.

 

[davekrista]

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Ok will try that now... Thanks for all the help

 

[duckyfromoz]

Another alternative to peeling back the membrane is dampening it with a wet cotton ball. That way they still have to do the pushing to get out from the egg with less risk of causing a bleed from tearing a vein in the membrane.

 

[FunnyBunnies12]

I am SO THANKFUL & HAPPY that Katharine is here to walk you through and that these have a chance, I would have helped my 1 egg sooner but I would have risked the other 7. So I had to make that dreaded choice and sacrifice. Come on babies!!! I know this is so nerve wracking because either or could cost them their lives.

 

[davekrista]

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I did have to put back because 1 started bleeding a little bit and the other is so bad and looks like its bleeding under the membrane. I'm hoping to atlease save the 1 because i can't even find the bill on the other. After waiting 3 hours for the bleeding to stop i will try to use the cotton ball. Does it matter if it is warm or cool?