Help! A pip!!

[skiwee]

So I put the mallard egg on lockdown yesterday. It's due Tuesday. I went out today for a couple hours and came back to a pip! But it's not a full pip. It's cracked and pushed open a bit but not enough to see in there or even see an air hole yet. Just a pushed out pip. How long before it actually makes a hole for it to get some air? I'm worried!

 

[skiwee]

Anyone? Please!!

 

[perlover48]

How is the duckling now?

 

[skiwee]

He has pipped a large round hole but not zipped. He sticks his beak out to peep and yawn. It's been 24 hours since that first pip. Shouldn't he be trying to zip by now? He seems quite comfy and not even trying to pip or zip now.

 

[perlover48]

Ive never hatched ducklings but for chickens from pip to zip can take as long as 24 hours. Id say if it doesnt start zipping soon then peel away the shell and see if the membrane has viens on it.

 

[skiwee]

So the membranes are white and I've been keeping them moist. He has his beak and one wing out and struggling like crazy to get out. Pretty much most of top is off but still has that secondary membrane stopping him from popping out. I don't see any veins in it while it white. When I dampen with a q tip I see maybe a couple super spider like veins but they are so pale it's hard to see. I feel bad for him as he is peeping line crazy screaming let me out! It's been close to 27 hours at least since first external pip.

 

[perlover48]

Id say if you really think he is stuck then peel back the membrane until you see veins. If you see veins stop. If you don't then keep going. Just try not to hurt any veins because the duckling can bleed to death. I've never helped with hatching. I've only seen other people say this stuff.

 

[skiwee]

He hatched! Now he is bobbing around the incubator attempting to walk and peeping like crazy. So cute!

 

[perlover48]

Congrats! Can you send pics?