Help with hatching Call Duck eggs - internally pipped 28+hrs

[Chickaroo73]

I have a Call Duck sitting on 9 eggs. I do not know their exact date, but am guessing they are close to day 27, 28. They are currently in a nest inside of a large storage bin that is secured inside a shed. I had planned on letting momma duck sit on the eggs and hatch them, but I saw yesterday that they had internally pipped. It is now 28+ hours later and no sign of external pipping. Is this ok, or should I do something to intervene? I have read tons of threads on 'helping', but it seems that these relate to eggs in an incubator/indoors. I am afraid to do much since they are in a shed and it is nearly impossible to control the temp/humidity. I also do not have an incubator to transfer them to, though I have attempted to make a temporary one just in case... Any advice is greatly appreciated as this is my first time hatching.

 

[Pyxis]

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Are your Calls pretty close to the standard, with very short beaks and necks? If so, they might need help hatching. When you candled, did you candle all of them and saw that all had internally pipped, or is it just the one that you saw?

The ones that have been internally pipped for over 24 hours, I would put a small safety hole in, so that at least the ducklings can breath. Take a small sharp drill bit or screw and make a small hole in the top of the air cell. The hole should be only as big as the tip of the screw or drill bit. A hole this small will be very unlikely to cause the membrane inside to dry up. Then slip them back under the broody and keep an eye on things. If there has been no progress after 24 hours, more help may be needed.

Try not to disturb the broody too much when doing this - you don't want to force her off the nest accidentally.

 

[Ravynscroft]

X2 what Pyxis said.... and here is the link to the guide she wrote as well, visuals help me at least...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/guide-to-assisted-hatching-for-all-poultry.72886/

 

[Chickaroo73]

Thanks for the reply. I think my Calls are closer to Mallard than a standard Call (longer beaks and slightly bigger body). From what I can tell, they have all internally pipped at this point, so all are within a 24-29ish hr time frame. I can see blood vessels through the shell and approx. 1/3 to 1/2 of the egg is filled with air. I can see movement in all eggs and the ducklings seem to be lying on their side with bill inside the airsac.
I was thinking I would wait another hour or so and then proceed with the air hole? Or should I do this right away. Broody is very protective of her eggs and bites hard everytime I attempt to handle them. I have to temporarily distract her while I sneak an egg from underneath, so i have tried to leave her alone as much as possible.
My biggest question is whether or not the humidity will be ok in the natural setting? I live in Arizona so it is very dry. Is there anything I can do to make sure that their membranes stay moist even while they are underneath mom if I go ahead and make the air hole (since mom is so touchy, I don't want to bother her unless absolutely necessary)?
Thanks for the advice so far. I have been reading as much as possible before I take any action...

 

[Ravynscroft]

Sounds like pet quality sized Calls? I have a full range of all types, lol... the pet quality usually have an easier time hatching, ime...

Don't worry about humidity, she will take care of that, plus safe holes are super tiny, no bigger than the tip of a pen or needle barrel, just go check out that article link and you'll see the pics...

And I have a Call that specializes in standing for every one of her hatches, lol... rarely are their issues, and good mamas will actually help their hatchlings... again, check out pics in the article...

After looking at the pics, I would go ahead with doing the safe holes, just to make sure they can get some air... sorry she bites, my best one does too and it ain't no joke... I still get my hands in there if it's needed though, lol...

 

[Pyxis]

X2 what Ravyn said

 

[Chickaroo73]

Thanks for the encouragement. I am going to go and make some safety holes...the article was very helpful. I may practice on an egg from my fridge first...I really don't want to hurt anyone by mistake

 

[Ravynscroft]

Good idea! Do practice first, if it's a duck egg, better... they are waxy so hard to get a start with the tip of anything and the shells are thick and tough... just take it slow and easy with firm pressure, twisting back and forth the whole time...

 

[Chickaroo73]

I successfully put air holes in all nine eggs. There is one that has no movement and no sound. Should I go ahead and try to intervene at this point?

 

[Ravynscroft]

No movement or sound is not a good sign, unfortunately... if it was me, I would open it more to check for life...