Help! Duck half hatched.

[mziegle]

My first duck was found this morning having made a small hole in the egg shell. I left him alone until about 12 hours after pip. I didn't see any progress, so I followed some other information and tried to help. I gently removed small bits of shell around his beak. He had broken his own membrane. He's been stuck that far along for 6 hours now, no more progress. His head is through, but he's not doing much. He's still breathing, but I don't know what to do. I painted water on his shell and increased the humidity in the incubator but he doesn't seem to be stuck to the shell. I can post a pic. I don't know whether to remove the rest of the shell, leave him alone, take him out of the incubator...he's my first chick ever and I'd really like him to survive. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[easttxchick]

Clear the membrane around his nares so he can breathe, keep the membrane moist and the humidity at 73%.
Watch him to make sure he isn't quitting(because they will) and to make sure he doesn't flip in the egg and drown(they will do that, too).
Give him about 6 more hours to see if he's progressing.
IF he is starting to get weak, you MAY have to assist him.

 

[debilorrah]

Ducks take FOREVER to come out.

 

[mziegle]

He's got a clear nose and face, and hasn't moved to the point where he's in danger of flipping. It's just that his entire head has been out all day. He was moving more around five, but now it's like he's losing strength. He seems to perk up a bit when I hold him. What's the danger of leaving him in the shell? I'm to the point now where he looks like he's getting ready to quit. Should I break the rest of the shell around him, or just "help" a bit more.

I have had no other pips today, so I'd really love it if he made it. That, and the neighbor's dog just got my pet turkey so I'd feel doubly rotten if I can't help him survive either. I think the humidity is around 80. I upped it when I noticed his membrane drying out.

 

[mziegle]

Here's what he looks like now.

 

[debilorrah]

Quote:
It may dry out, so keep your eye on it. It looks good though!!! No blood.

 

[mziegle]

Yeah, I haven't seen blood, except for the vessels inside the membrane. They are decreasing now, and I haven't seen any of them break or bleed out. I'm checking on him so often I'm afraid I'm opening the bator too much, but I don't want him to dry out either. The membrane is drying on the outside edge, but on the inside it's nice and moist. He doesn't seem stuck at all, so I guess that's good. I'm painting it with water every two hours or so.

Thanks so much for the replies! I want so badly for him to make it!

 

[duckking]

We're rooting for him!!!!!! Keep us updated!

 

[franklin farm]

I have a duckling 2/3rds the way hatched, I have helped a little by clearing some of the shell but I see a little blood and the duckling wants out but seems to be attached still to the bottom of the egg, I have moistened the membrane and it its moving alot. whats the next step to help it or just leave it alone

Thanks
larry

 

[sumi]

I'd say leave it a bit. If it's firmly attached to the shell and hasn't absorbed the yolk yet, it should stay in there a bit longer.