Hatching Cayuga Ducklings DAY 31?!

[adinah]

I've got two Cayuga duck eggs in one of those two egg incubators. The hatch time is supposed to be 28 but we're on day 31. At least one of the eggs is still alive and has internally pipped. There has been clicking and cheeping since last night. Can I help the babies at all? What should I do?

Also, on Saturday we purchased three supposedly week old but probably more like 2 week old Cayugas to keep the ones I'm hatching company in the brooder. When is it okay to introduce the hatchlings (if they make it) with the other ducklings?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[adinah]

Well I had to help one of the chicks out of his shell today. I guess I'd shrink-wrapped him in there from all the candling. I learned my lesson, just so happy he hatched out alive. Any suggestions on when and how to introduce the new hatchling? I've got a little brooder that I'll move him to pretty soon but he'll outgrow that pretty quickly.