Hatching started wednesday

[Patty43]

Hello everybody. My duck was sitting on 16 eggs. The first external pip was on Wednesday night. As of today (Saturday) 15 of the 16 have hatched. The last to hatch was this morning. Or I should say is almost hatched this morning. I candled the remaining egg this morning and it has not even internally pipped. There is a lighter colored ring around the bottom of the air cell. The air cell is not as big as the others were and then the rest of the egg is dark. What do you think the chances of the egg hatching are. (I'm doubtful). Should I remove it from the nest or leave it. What is considered a reasonable amount of time for the whole clutch to hatch. Wednesday to Saturday seems like a long time to me, but I don't really know as this is the first hatch I have watched. Also I put starter crumbles and water in the house with the babies and also some outside. Do I continue to feed the mom her regular food. It is in pellet form and I wonder if the babies try to eat it if it will be too big for them and cause problems. Any feedback greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[Patty43]

any opinions

 

[Miss Lydia]

any opinions

I'd give them all starter including mom, I have done that in the past with out problems. Congrats on the great hatch. Is Mom sitting tight still? if so maybe look again tomorrow then decide. I had a hatch once that started on Tues and ended on Fri.

 

[Patty43]

She finally came off the nest this afternoon. I took the last egg out, and unfortunately the duckling was dead. I poked a very small hole in the egg and the smell from it was terrible. On a good note all 15 babies seem to be doing well. They came out of the house today and all seem to be eating and drinking. It is amazing how fast they grow. The 2 hatched this morning look quite a bit smaller than the ones born on Thursday morning. This is the ducks first hatch and she is doing very well. She is very protective and being a good mom.

 

[Miss Lydia]

She finally came off the nest this afternoon. I took the last egg out, and unfortunately the duckling was dead. I poked a very small hole in the egg and the smell from it was terrible. On a good note all 15 babies seem to be doing well. They came out of the house today and all seem to be eating and drinking. It is amazing how fast they grow. The 2 hatched this morning look quite a bit smaller than the ones born on Thursday morning. This is the ducks first hatch and she is doing very well. She is very protective and being a good mom.

Sorry you lost the one but to have a first time mom hatch out 15 is awesome. Now we need some pics.

 

[Going Quackers]

Sounds very positive overall. My one mum hatched out 4 in March of this year, she only lost 1 and this was her second nest, it happens sometimes.

As ML says a starter or an all flock is the best choice, young cannot eat the pellets much to large. I too would love to see pics!