Help - first timer and worried

[AndrewMarshall]

We have 5 abandoned mallard eggs that we were able to collect and have a Brinsea 600 incubator that have been in for 26 days.

yesterday AM around 8am (a little over 24 hours ago) 2 of the duckling eggs seemed to have a “pip” in the shell. A few hours later, one more pipped. The pip is truly just a star shaped crack in the egg. Can’t seem to find any hole for air to get in that I’ve read about.

24 hours plus later, no further action??What can we do??

On day 24, we filled the second side of the water reservoir to increase humidity level. Since then, very little contact or opening of the incubator top, as they should be on lock down. I can’t candle, b/c I don’t want to open the incubator to see if they are active or not. I haven’t heard any sounds of peeping, but it’s also hard to tell b/c of the incubator sound humming.

The incubator reading is 2, meaning we have two days left to complete day 28, but since there seemed to be some activity, so worried they may not be surviving.

Any help is greatly appreciate!

attached are pics of the “pip” we noticed about 24 hours ago.

 

[Mvan42]

Give them time, I don’t know much about them. (Just chickens here). But it often take a while. Watch for wiggling eggs this will help reassure you. Others here will comment later with more information

 

[AndrewMarshall]

Thank you for your time and reply

 

[AndrewMarshall]

Give them time, I don’t know much about them. (Just chickens here). But it often take a while. Watch for wiggling eggs this will help reassure you. Others here will comment later with more information

Thank you got your time and reply!

 

[Miss Lydia]

@MasterOfClucker I think if they have internally pipped a safe hole is needed. After 24 hrs. and I beleive Mallards are 26 days for incubation but lets see what the expert says.

 

[Isaac 0]

I'd just leave them be and if they don't progress for another 24 hours or so, I would start to peel away where they externally pipped, If you see any veins/blood stop immediately and set them back in the incubator. Ducks are very slow hatchers just give them some time and I'm sure they will be out soon enough. If you have any more questions don't hesitate to ask! Keep us updated!

 

[Isaac 0]

Mallards hatch around day 26.

 

[AndrewMarshall]

I'd just leave them be and if they don't progress for another 24 hours or so, I would start to peel away where they externally pipped, If you see any veins/blood stop immediately and set them back in the incubator. Ducks are very slow hatchers just give them some time and I'm sure they will be out soon enough. If you have any more questions don't hesitate to ask! Keep us updated!

Thank you very much. I may try that tonight with one of them that has shown an external pip, as it would be close to 36-40 hours at that point and no visible signs of any progress or movement

 

[AndrewMarshall]

One of the eggs started to show some movement and break through the shell!!

 

[AndrewMarshall]

Does this one look OK to those who know? Hopefully not shrink wrapped? Looks a little tan for the interior membrane, but I’m still learning. It’s tried to push through a few times and the membrane pushes out and then back in