Help please... call ducks only one hatched?

[broodymum]

Hi all

I’m used to hatching but this is the first time I’ve hatched call ducks, I knew they could be difficult so I was expecting problems. Anyway one hatched this morning (day 26) but there’s no signs of life in any of the others. I took him out of the incubator once he was dry because he was cheeping a lot and wanting to get out. Anyway, he clearly doesn’t want to be on his own and was getting distressed so after candling all others and giving them an air hole I put him back in. He’s calmed down and gone to sleep now.

Of the other 7, they’re all full with a reasonable size air sack, but there’s no movement. After reading advice on here I’ve given them all an air hole just in case. I can’t tell if any of them have internally pipped and there’s no obvious blood or membranes when candling. I think I’ve read I’ll leave them alone now and if nothing more tomorrow maybe start assisting.. advice please?

If none of them do hatch, what do I do with the little chap that’s by himself, I’m sure my adult ones would hurt him but I can’t see him coping by himself?

Thanks

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

This is a good read ~ https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/guide-to-assisted-hatching-for-all-poultry.72886/

As for your lone duckling you could try to find some other ducklings that are for sale? Last year I had a lone gosling hatch and I used a small teddy & a mirror in his brooder. I made the mistake of letting him get too attached to me (well it was actually my boots) and I had to prop those up next to the brooder. He followed me round the garden a lot. Once he went back to the farm & was getting feathered out he was kept in a small pen next to the adult geese for company. Good luck.

 

[broodymum]

Thank you! I finished assisting the other seven to hatch this morning, they were all fully formed, perfect, but dead . The membranes were dry and there were no veins or blood. A couple of them seemed very big for their shells as the air holes were small but otherwise no obvious issues. I suspect I left it too late to assist. When should I have done this and how would I know it was the right time. Any advice greatly appreciated for next time. I have managed to buy some day old hatchlings to keep my line duckling company and he seems happy now. Thank you.

 

[chickens really]

Give the lone Duckling a Teddy and a mirror.
If you put air holes in the eggs before they internally pipped they generally die. They have to be in the air cell Before you ever assist. Sorry you didn't hatch more.