Help/Advice, my gosling is struggling

[ermer124]

I'm in the process of hatching a gosling, and I'm hoping someone can give me some input. He internally pipped 2 days ago, and I made a 'safety hole' at 24 hours so I could make sure he wouldn't suffocate. At 48 hours after internal pip, he still hadn't made an external pip, so i'm getting increasingly worried. I made the hole bigger to see if he looked ok, and the membrane was two different colours. By his head and what I think is a wing its pretty clear, I can see his down and everything, but it looks white and paper like on the parts over his body. I misted it, and it went back to almost clear, but within minutes it was back to white. My humidity hasn't been less than 70% and I keep it up around 80-85%, the only time it dips at all is when I open it up briefly to add more water, so I don't think humidity should be the problem. Im hoping someone can tell me what the membrane should look like, and when I should attempt to help it more. Today is day 28 since Ive had the egg, but since I rescued it from some dogs I think it could be a day or two older than I thought. Everywhere that I've read says you shouldn't help them as its almost always fatal, but my momma goose instincts are telling me my little one may need help. I read somewhere that the veins will shrivel and basically disappear, and that's when you know he's absorbed the yolk and its safe to assist, but im just looking for some more opinions before I go any further with assisting. I'm a first time momma and im incredibly worried, though Ive done a ridiculous amount of research. I really don't want to loose this baby

I would be heartbroken. any help here? sorry, I know it's a lot of asking, but im freaking out a little

 

[SilkieStruck]

Checking in on progress with little Nelson. I am unsure myself on how the artificial external pip/safety hole affects/extends the timing to the chick's external pipping and zipping, only that it does extend it (by eliminating the rise in carbon dioxide that triggers the hatching muscles to spasm, if I understand correctly). As long as his breaths are regular and he is vocalizing, it seemed like he would have time yet before you would need to be concerned, but I am not experienced enough to say anything for certain.

Since this is your first hatch I wanted to mention that the appearance of the external membrane is way more "parchment like" than I had envisioned before my first hatches. I wondered if you were seeing the internal membrane over the head and neck, which does kind of look "gooey" at least to me. Teasing the external membrane away from the internal with a moistened q-tip made it easier for me to see the vessels clearly in that inner membrane and know when to stop before any bleeding.

I wish I had more for you, like a lot more experience to comfort and guide! Just wanted to check in and let you know in the middle of the night that you aren't alone in this!

 

[Miss Lydia]

How are things going this morning?

 

[ermer124]

i appreciate the help. some is better than none. I looked to see if maybe it was the outer membrane stuck to the inner one, but I don't think it is. at least it doesn't look like that's what it is, and I looked pretty closely. he still hasn't made it out of the shell the rest of the way, but im going to attempt to help him a little more. he's still chirping and breathing, but he really looks like he's struggling.

i'll post another update later with more info on our progress

 

[flockman]

Hope things improve and that you can help the little guy. I helped a duckling hatch just last week. Now I can't tell it apart from the rest.

 

[Miss Lydia]

i appreciate the help. some is better than none. I looked to see if maybe it was the outer membrane stuck to the inner one, but I don't think it is. at least it doesn't look like that's what it is, and I looked pretty closely. he still hasn't made it out of the shell the rest of the way, but im going to attempt to help him a little more. he's still chirping and breathing, but he really looks like he's struggling.

i'll post another update later with more info on our progress

I've never helped a gosling, only a duck that was shrinked wrapped, but probably similar, like your doing just take your time and if you see blood you stop and wait then start again in a couple of hours. Did you read Petes guide? here is info on helping a duckling. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...days-ago-but-no-external-pip-yet#post_8686492

 

[pete55]

As hatching approaches then the gosling will become increasingly vocal and peep more frequently.

Are you saying its now 60 hours since internal pipping? How did you confirm this?

By now the gosling should be almost ready to hatch though I'm surprised it didn't externally pip and assume that the shell has been removed in the area where a pip would appear?

Have you tried candling the egg to see if you can see a hollow space developing below the line of the aircell and where the naval would be. As the yolk absorbs a space appears and the final large vessels shut down near the umbilicus.

Best of luck.

 

[ermer124]

I candled the egg and saw his beak sticking up through the air cell. And 60 hours sounds about right. Maybe a tad longer actually. tonight around 9 will be three days since I saw this internal pip, though it could have pipped sooner and I just didn't see it until then. I appreciate the tip about candling to see if the yolk is going away, that will be my very next move

 

[pete55]

There are diagrams in the Incubation Guide which illustrate this point.

The white membrane is normal and moistening it will also reveal if there are any active vessels above the gosling. Which ever direction you choose work slowly and a little at a time. if there is bleeding then stop as its not ready to hatch.

 

[ermer124]

thank you so much for all of your help. while holding him a warm rag and slowly pushing the membrane back with a wet q-tip, little nelson hatched in my hand!!!!

I have a healthy baby goose!! I am so over the top happy! I cant thank you enough for all your help. Nelson was worth every second of worry i'll make sure to put some pictures up later