Getting worried. Need advice

[Ccgirl11]

Hey so its been about 35 hours since my duck has made an external pip. It pretty much hasnt done much since then. I ask my hubby to help peel away the shell so it could breathe better but realized that their membrane still hasnt been periced. Should i be worried it has also started to look really dark around the pip hole today before we did this. I attached an image. Should i wait longer and see if it will hatch on its own.

 

[Chicken_Obsesser]

@Jenbirdee

 

[Jesse Lee Turner]

Hey there, thanks for reaching out, and good on you for keeping close watch.
At 35 hours post external pip, you’re right to be paying attention, especially if there hasn’t been much progress and the membrane still wasn’t breached.

The darkening around the pip hole can sometimes be a sign of drying membrane or reduced circulation, which can be dangerous if left too long.
Here’s what I’d gently suggest:

1, Candling (with a small flashlight) over the pip area can sometimes help show you if the blood vessels in the membrane have receded. If they’re still bright red, it’s not ready. If they’re faded or gone, intervention may be okay.

2. Humidity is key right now,you might want to carefully apply a bit of coconut oil or sterile saline to the exposed membrane to keep it soft if it’s drying out.

3. If you do assist, go slow - only peel a little at a time. The goal is to help the duckling do what it would, not to rush it out if it's not ready.

4. And when you come to it listen for movement or peeping - that’s a good sign it still has strength.

****Assisted hatches can be successful, but timing is key. If the membrane looks white and papery, or sticky and dark, intervention might be necessary. If you’re unsure, better to stop than go too far.

Let us know how it’s going. You're doing the right thing by checking in. I'm sure other people will head into this one and help you with some more advice.

Wishing your little one a safe hatch!

 

[Yardmom]

I'm not sure what you have going on. An external pip would have a hole in the membrane. Since it is pushing off shell, it is time to make a small hole in the membrane around its bill.

Can you tell it if the darker color is blood, or is it the membrane drying up? Do you know what the humidity in the incubator is?

 

[TiarraLindsey]

Imo peal the egg very carefully towards the dark spot. That looks like an internal pip to me. If it's not simply make a small hole and leave it a little longer. Ducks do take longer to hatch and that can be nerve wracking.

 

[Ccgirl11]

Thanks everyone for the advice, we made a little hole and within a couple of hours it hatched and looks like its doing fine

 

[Chicken_Obsesser]

I'm so glad!!!