Help and advise re duckling hatching in incubator

[Lisa1121]

I have not hatched ducklings in an incubator for years. The duck that was sitting her nest got off and abandoned her nest so rather than let them die I put them in the incubator. I could not find a wet thermometer to measure the humidity so am only able to measure the temperature. After 3 successful ducklings hatched today, one had it's membranes drying out. I tried to help it a little but some of the membrane was stuck to the shell and I saw some blood so I stopped trying to help it. I have wet the remaining membrane that I could see with a q tip and warm water. I placed it back in the incubator on a warm wet paper towel (should I have done that?), made sure the channels are full of water (I only had a Styrofoam incubator). Is there anything else I should do?

 

[FarmerGirl101]

The paper towel was a good call

 

[FarmerGirl101]

Just do keep an eye on the egg if you can

 

[The Phantom]

That sounds pretty good, that's what I would have done. If it is still too dry you can put tall cups of water in there.

 

[Lisa1121]

I also wet a sponge with warm water and put it in the corner. Thanks everyone. I will stay up checking on the egg

 

[Lisa1121]

The paper towel was a good call

Should I wrap it loosely in the paper towel or just leave it sitting on top?

 

[FarmerGirl101]

Good luck!

 

[C3 mommy]

The wet paper towel can actually chill the chick from what I've heard, use coconut oil or Vaseline (thin layer) on the membrane and will keep it from drying out. Sponge was a good call! Good luck!!

 

[RubyNala97]

Use something besides water to lube the membrane. I use bacitracin or you can use coconut oil or even Vaseline. The water will dry right out again. Can you post a pic?

 

[Lisa1121]

The duckling did hatch and the membrane, though dry in places, was not dry completely around it. Unfortunately , since I was not planning on using an incubator and hatching a clutch, I have not way to measure the humidity and, though I tried very hard to stay awake all night long, I fell asleep for about an hour and a half. When I woke, I was panicked and checked the incubator only to see that the humidity was too high. Hence two ducklings hatched a bit early (I have been reading about this today) with some of their yoke. This little one was one of them. She is a fighter as was the other one too. The other one is doing better than this one ND is running around in the brooder with the 4 others who hatched without a problem. I don't know if this little one will make it but I am trying. She eventually absorbed the yoke and I gave her a little rooster booster a bit ago. She is talkative, she wants to move around but is just tired and weaker. Though she is standing some now. I hope she makes it. If love and dedication from me were enough to cure her, she would. It has not been 24 hours since she popped from her eggs yet as that happened about7 hours ago. I don't want to give up on her. The first picture is the little one I am praying makes it. The second are the ones who are, so far, doing pretty good.