Finally an external pip

[katharinad]

It is safe to help them hatch at this point, but you have to do it carefully. They will not make it without it, because of the shrink wrapping. We have waited the needed time and can say we did not rush it. The waiting game is the hardest part.
You are right you have to wage the pros and cons when other eggs are in the box that have piped. Sometime you have to let go of one for better of the rest. In nature the mother duck will also help with hatching, so it is not completely against nature to help.

 

[davekrista]

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I am soo thankful for Katharina and everyone else on this site that help newbies like us in situations like this. I would have no clue how to help. This whole process has been a great learning experience for me and I have 3 happy healthy ducklings, possibly 5 for all the help i have gotten from everyone here... And if these 2 don't by chance make it they will have had a better chance because of the help i have gotten here.

 

[duckyfromoz]

Warm water is better. You may have to kind of gently rub some areas if the membrane is really " glued" to the baby- but once some if it is moistened- the baby will move alot quickly and not take very long to emerge if it actually is ready to do so. If it is still a bit slugish- it could be an indication that th yolk and blood from the veins is still being absorbed. IN that case= leave it for a few hours and dampen them again.

 

[katharinad]

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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?

Always use 100 degree warm water. It sometimes helps, but it may also introduce bacteria to the wounds. I stopped using the water method, because it will dry out in the incubator quickly anyway. I do usually loosely wrap it in a moist paper towel being careful not to cover the top and put it back into the incubator. Did it stop when you were doing the first 1/4 or when you were at the 1/2 mark? The first 1/4 means that it probably needs another 12 hours to absorb the yolk. One thing is good to know that they are less likely to shrink wrap any further once you hit the 1/3 mark. I hope the other one pulls it's head up soon or I fear the worst.

 

[davekrista]

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Thank you. I will try around 4 which is when the 3 hours from the bleeding will be. In the mean time I am close to being ready to move the other 3 to the brooder....

 

[MrsDuck]

Sending good thoughts for these last two. I'm so glad that three are all hatched out! YAY!

Katharina walked me through an egg intervention, too. We had just one spot of blood, and I thought for sure it was all over. But a couple of hours later the little girl popped out by herself - she just needed a wee bit of help! You're in good hands - there are so many *really* helpful people on this board!

 

[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?

Always use 100 degree warm water. It sometimes helps, but it may also introduce bacteria to the wounds. I stopped using the water method, because it will dry out in the incubator quickly anyway. I do usually loosely wrap it in a moist paper towel being careful not to cover the top and put it back into the incubator. Did it stop when you were doing the first 1/4 or when you were at the 1/2 mark? The first 1/4 means that it probably needs another 12 hours to absorb the yolk. One thing is good to know that they are less likely to shrink wrap any further once you hit the 1/3 mark. I hope the other one pulls it's head up soon or I fear the worst.

I was still up the first 1/4

 

[katharinad]

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Do you have a picture of the little one? Love to see it.

 

[davekrista]

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Thank you. I know what you mean. I saw the blood and now fear the worst, but I am going to do as I'm told and leave them for a little bit and see what happens.

 

[duckyfromoz]

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Yes it does dry again- but if the baby is ready to come out of the egg straight away it will work. If it does not hatch straight away once the membrane is moistened then it needs more time to absorb the yolk and blood from the veins - meaning it wasnt ready in the first place. Which ever method is used- once you start helping- you generally have to continue- I just find that is a way that poses less risk as you are not tearing veins by wetting the membrane.