HELP! worried about hatching eggs

[vlapinta]

This is my second hatch and three ducklings have already hatched and running around the incubator! One egg has zipped but isn't shaking/moving or doing anything whatsoever. It has been like this for a few hours. Another egg has one crack and is shaking nonstop. I'm very worried about the egg that isn't moving and hasnt moved for a while. Is it dead? How do I know if its dead? Should I help it?

 

[Silkie Sue]

i know it is hard not to but Do not help it....
it is hard work getting out of that egg and they will rest for long periods of time/
you will probably wake up to the little guy out,,,,
keep us posted
Congratulations on the other hatchlings

 

[duckyfromoz]

Opening the incubator to check on that one egg- ( which may as you say be dead already) may put at risk other eggs you have in the bator. Silkie Sue is right- they will rest for long periods. Helping in some cases is not in the best interests of the bird- letting nature take its course and letting survival of the fittest remain means that ultimately you will have healthier stronger birds in your flock. it is sad to loose them- we want every egg to hatch when we put them into the incubator- but also realising that they cant all be " saved" is important as well.

 

[vlapinta]

Thankyou for all your help

I got the humidity to raise and I woke up to one more duckling so now I only have one egg. I sprayed it with warm water and it seems to be moving now. (This is the egg that was shaking nonstop last night but stopped shaking late at night then started again when i sprayed it) Does this mean it was just resting or the duckling is shrink wrapped?

 

[duckyfromoz]

Great news !! Has the last egg pipped yet - or have you candled to see if the beak is in the aircell?

 

[vlapinta]

It has pipped and has a few cracks. Is it okay to take out the egg and candle it to see if its alive? And should I take out the other ducklings? Theyre dried and are running around going crazy!

 

[duckyfromoz]

Get the brooder ready- and when its warm- take the hatched ones out- give the egg a quick candle and a good spray ( I am being positive that it is still alive ) If there is a pip and other cracks that means it has moved a little in the shell- but it could be restricted a bit now - hard to say for sure without seeing inside the egg itself. Spray the egg every 1- 2 hours but keep watch for movement amount before and after spraying. If the duckling start to move less after being sprayed ( wait 1-2 minutes before expecting movement to be effected by misting ) then it may need some further assistance.

 

[vlapinta]

I candled the egg very quickly so i didnt see much. I saw a black thing in the air cell which must have been his head? Im not sure. I could feel him moving when I was holding him. I sprayed him once more and the egg started shaking again. Should I just leave him? Do you think hes just taking a while to hatch?

 

[duckyfromoz]

At least you know its still alive- give it a few more hours - keep spraying every hour or so - if it doesnt continue to unzip after a few hours you may have to open the shell up a bit to wet the membrane directly. Talking to the egg will help to keep it moving as well. Peep at it as is you are another duckling as well as your normal voice- it will encourage it to keep trying to hatch. If you could feel movement in the egg that is a very good sign- it means it is not completely shrink wrapped and unable to move at all.

 

[vlapinta]

Ive been talking to it and peeping at it and it moves so much! so exciting

I just hope this little guy gets out safe. Also, his egg is so tiny which is very strange since all the other eggs are so much bigger. I will keep spraying for a few more hours and waiting but if nothing happens I'll take your advice and open the shell a little bit. Thankyou so much for your help! I'll keep you updated!!