Help.....please.....newbie here!!!

[hleese]

So my mum bought Indian runner duck eggs, didn't do any research I'm afraid. I now am incubator keeper. I presumed 3 were dead but had to check tonight before we disposed of the eggs. I gently went through the air cell and opened it up ALOT as it was PRESUMED dead, it's only 1 day over its hatch date. I make a slight nick in the membrane and it bled, I tissued it and I've wrapped him in a damp warm tissue, moistened the membrane and put him back in the incubator. Is there anything else I can do?! He's breathing. I'm devastated and feel so hopeless. Please help.

 

[nchls school]

So my mum bought Indian runner duck eggs, didn't do any research I'm afraid. I now am incubator keeper. I presumed 3 were dead but had to check tonight before we disposed of the eggs. I gently went through the air cell and opened it up ALOT as it was PRESUMED dead, it's only 1 day over its hatch date. I make a slight nick in the membrane and it bled, I tissued it and I've wrapped him in a damp warm tissue, moistened the membrane and put him back in the incubator. Is there anything else I can do?! He's breathing. I'm devastated and feel so hopeless. Please help.

There is a good chance that all will be well. Keep doing as you have. Don't let the membrane dry out so that the duckling doesn't get stuck to the shell and not be able to hatch. You may have to help the duckling hatch. It is important to not do this too soon. Go online and watch some videos on assisted hatching, look at pictures of eggs hatching, do some reading. If you have more specific questions on what you have seen or read, ask questions and we'll try to help. Good luck.

 

[hleese]

Thank you so much! I'm a dampening the membrane with a cotton bud- I think the inner and outer membrane are still intact - do I need to break the outer membrane? I will most defiantly keep you posted, I am so grateful for your reply x

 

[nchls school]

Thank you so much! I'm a dampening the membrane with a cotton bud- I think the inner and outer membrane are still intact - do I need to break the outer membrane? I will most defiantly keep you posted, I am so grateful for your reply x

Has the ducklings bill broken through the membrane?

 

[hleese]

No the inner and outer membrane are still completely sealed

 

[nchls school]

No the inner and outer membrane are still completely sealed

Do not open the incubator too much; you want the temperature and humidity to stay as constant as possible. The membrane must stay moist. Do not remove the duckling from the shell too soon as it will die; a common mistake. If other ducklings have hatched, this one may be too weak to hatch and survive; nothing you did will have caused its death. All you can do is try. As the duckling turns in the membrane the blood in the membrane will be gone. If the membrane becomes stuck to the baby it can not turn and work its way out. If the incubator has been opened not long ago wait a while, Carefully remove the shell as it would have been if the bird hatched naturely; enough so the duckling can break free easily, but do not remove the membrane. Should the membrane become bloodless, then the membrane can be removed too. The duckling needs to break free of the shell on its own. Is there other eggs to hatch? If not you don't have to worry as much about opening the incubator as much.

 

[hleese]

This is the last one - there aren't any others in the incubator. Who knew such a tiny thing would put me into such a spin! There Indian runners so his other buddy needs a buddy! I've got my fingers and toes crossed for this little guy. The membrane keeps whitening so as soon as it does, I moisten it - about every half an hour. I have attached a few pictures for you. Thank you!!! x

 

[nchls school]

Good luck. I hope it makes it for you.

 

[trailrider330]

First of all, welcome to the BYC flock! We are glad you joined us!

It looks like you are doing all you can to help this little guy make it. Good luck!

 

[drumstick diva]

Sending good hatching vibes your way