Help hatching

[Carolineelle07]

Hi everyone! I got some new fertile duck eggs since last time I was in here. They are starting to pip internally and externally I have one guy who has been pipping internally for a little less than 48 hours and is making lots of noise but no external pip it seems to only be peeping but not pecking like the others. I know many people have mixed feelings on assisting a hatch but I don’t know what to do! I have seen people making a “safety hole” in the eggs but I’m scared I will interfere and something will go wrong Please help!

 

[MGG]

Hi everyone! I got some new fertile duck eggs since last time I was in here. They are starting to pip internally and externally I have one guy who has been pipping internally for a little less than 48 hours and is making lots of noise but no external pip it seems to only be peeping but not pecking like the others. I know many people have mixed feelings on assisting a hatch but I don’t know what to do! I have seen people making a “safety hole” in the eggs but I’m scared I will interfere and something will go wrong Please help!

So one duckling has been internally pipped for 48 hours?

 

[Carolineelle07]

So one duckling has been internally pipped for 48 hours?

Yes

 

[MGG]

Yes

I would take the egg out of the incubator and put in a safety hole then. It's scary at first but it's not too hard. Just get a sterile pin ( I use an exacto) and scratch a little X on the air cell. Once you make it through, chip off a teeny tiny piece of shell and put it back. Just remember, the more shell you break off the faster he will dry out. If you don't make the safety hole he probably will die though. Are yoy absolutely sure he hasn't externally pipped on a side you can't see?

 

[Carolineelle07]

I would take the egg out of the incubator and put in a safety hole then. It's scary at first but it's not too hard. Just get a sterile pin ( I use an exacto) and scratch a little X on the air cell. Once you make it through, chip off a teeny tiny piece of shell and put it back. Just remember, the more shell you break off the faster he will dry out. If you don't make the safety hole he probably will die though. Are yoy absolutely sure he hasn't externally pipped on a side you can't see?

Ok will do. he has not pipped on any side at all I have been checking every hour and nothing I think he needs help he almost sounds distressed whenever he peeps

 

[MGG]

Ok will do. he has not pipped on any side at all I have been checking every hour and nothing I think he needs help he almost sounds distressed whenever he peeps

I think he does too. Have any hatched yet? What breed of ducks? What % humidity? Also, here's a really great article if you haven't read it yet.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/guide-to-assisted-hatching-for-all-poultry.72886/

 

[Carolineelle07]

I think he does too. Have any hatched yet? What breed of ducks? What % humidity? Also, here's a really great article if you haven't read it yet.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/guide-to-assisted-hatching-for-all-poultry.72886/

Yes I just read this! They are anconas never had this kind before only pekin the other eggs are doing fine some and humidity is at 70%

 

[Carolineelle07]

Yes I just read this! They are anconas never had this kind before only pekin the other eggs are doing fine some and humidity is at 70%

Another question because not specified in article really or your previous post but does the hole need to be near the beak or just as long as it’s in the air cell just want to make sure before I do it?

 

[MGG]

Another question because not specified in article really or your previous post but does the hole need to be near the beak or just as long as it’s in the air cell just want to make sure before I do it?

Anywhere in the air cell, preferably in the middle. Just make sure its somewhere in the air cell.

 

[Carolineelle07]

Anywhere in the air cell, preferably in the middle. Just make sure its somewhere in the air cell.

Ok thank you so much for your help!