Help pls. Duck hatching

[HopMomma]

So I've got 4 eggs in lockdown. 26hours. 1 is already out completely. 1 has a good size external pip with shell missing but hasn't moved or rocked in hours. The other 2...nothing. I candled before placing them and all had movement. So do I take the precautions to help the 1 with decent external pip? Afraid to open or move incubator. What of the one that's fully out? In 24 hours she will have been out for 30+...

 

[AltonaAcres]

@MGG can you help?? I assist chicks all the time but never waterfowl

 

[HopMomma]

@MGG can you help?? I assist chicks all the time but never waterfowl

Yes please someone with more experience. I'm so new to this forum thing to so I dont know who or where to look for help either

 

[ackie]

What of the one that's fully out? In 24 hours she will have been out for 30+...

I usually take them out once they're fluffed up (chicks) and just add hot water immediately to have the least drop in humidity. (Probably not the 'right' thing to do)

 

[Momma hen quack]

I assisted both my ducks when I hatched them. Just do it slowly by taking off the shell and leaving as much membrane as you can to allow them to hatch on their own. Both of mine bled as I pulled too much membrane. Take it slowly and just keep helping until the duck is out. If you see blood, stop and wait. I just helped 2 of my chickens to hatch. One zipped and stopped for over 5 hours...way to long and one was hatching from the wrong side of the egg. Both are doing well. Also, put a wet towel around the egg to keep the membrane wet. I would put the other duck that hatched in a brooder with something that looks like a duck or is soft so it can cuddle. Also, place a mirror in the brooder so it's not alone. It no other ducks make it, just make sure it doesn't feel alone. It will imprint on you and you will be the mommy. Hope this helps and prayers for the baby to make it out!!

 

[HopMomma]

I assisted both my ducks when I hatched them. Just do it slowly by taking off the shell and leaving as much membrane as you can to allow them to hatch on their own. Both of mine bled as I pulled too much membrane. Take it slowly and just keep helping until the duck is out. If you see blood, stop and wait. I just helped 2 of my chickens to hatch. One zipped and stopped for over 5 hours...way to long and one was hatching from the wrong side of the egg. Both are doing well. Also, put a wet towel around the egg to keep the membrane wet. I would put the other duck that hatched in a brooder with something that looks like a duck or is soft so it can cuddle. Also, place a mirror in the brooder so it's not alone. It no other ducks make it, just make sure it doesn't feel alone. It will imprint on you and you will be the mommy. Hope this helps and prayers for the baby to make it out!!

So I can open the incubator to help that one that hasn't zipped yet? I was afraid of a huge drop in temp or moving the incubator at all. Thank you so much.

 

[Momma hen quack]

Yes, just place a wet towel in the incubator to keep the humidity high as I said previously. It's not ideal, but sometimes necessary.

 

[HopMomma]

Yes, just place a wet towel in the incubator to keep the humidity high as I said previously. It's not ideal, but sometimes necessary.

Okiedokie thank you. The one that has been out of the shell for 9hours isnt quite dry all the way but its pecking at its siblings opening and trying to eat it's own nasty placenta!! Yikes. I want to put her in the brooder so I think I will. What do you think? Even if she isnt completely dry

 

[Momma hen quack]

Okiedokie thank you. The one that has been out of the shell for 9hours isnt quite dry all the way but its pecking at its siblings opening and trying to eat it's own nasty placenta!! Yikes. I want to put her in the brooder so I think I will. What do you think? Even if she isnt completely dry
I try to dry them by using a wash cloth or placing something they can cuddle in under the light. It's hard to dry typically in the incubator with the high humidity.

 

[Trisseh]

Okiedokie thank you. The one that has been out of the shell for 9hours isnt quite dry all the way but its pecking at its siblings opening and trying to eat it's own nasty placenta!! Yikes. I want to put her in the brooder so I think I will. What do you think? Even if she isnt completely dry

You can definitely take out your hatched baby and put it into the pre-warmed brooder. It’s actually the best time to open the incubator when the humidity spikes from one hatching. That’s the time that you can assess everyone else.
I also would not recommend putting wet paper towel directly on any eggs, although you can use it inside the incubator to increase humidity if needed.
I also don’t recommend assisting as mentioned as you can kill chicks and ducklings by helping before they’re ready. By removing shell you leave the duckling nothing to push against to hatch and you will definitely have to be there all the way through to make sure it escapes the membrane. If they have air available, leave them be. They’ll come on their own time, and interfering too early can mean unabsorbed yolks, excessive bleeding, and death. If you feel comfortable assisting if necessary, first read through the assisted hatching guide and the other guide to hatching linked below - they will help you as you proceed and assist you in not doing more harm than good.

Assisted hatching guide

Hatching and incubation guide