Helping a malpositioned duckling

[megka03]

Hi, I’ve been a long time follower so I’m hoping someone can help me. First duck hatch in the incubator. I’ve had a lot of chicken hatches but this is my first duck. I’ve assisted some malpositioned chicks with great success but I’m unsure about ducks. One egg externally pipped on day 26, wrong end, but no clear hole in the membrane, just cracked and pushed out shell. I left it for 32 hours with no change so tonight I gave it an air hole in the membrane. I was able to open it enough to see beak so I know he’s attempting to exit the wrong end of the egg. I moistened the membrane and did see blood so I stopped and put it back in the incubator. He’s very active, egg is wiggling and little beak is going. How long do I wait between attempts to assist? I’m really torn between letting nature do it’s thing and giving him a good attempt at getting out. Do I give it 2-4 hours and attempt to break a bit more shell away? 6-8 hours? I want to give him enough time to make sure the blood vessels empty and he absorbs the yolk, but I don’t want him to die from exhaustion if I could help him. Thanks for any insight! Oh, temps remained steady at 99.5 during incubation, humidity was around 65 but I’ve upped it to 72 with the membrane exposed for so long.

 

[Texag87]

I am guessing the experts are done for tonight but my instinct would be another 18 hours before trying to help again. I think @WVduckchick is one of the hatching experts.

 

[WVduckchick]

Ducks normally take longer to hatch than chickens. Even 40-48 hours from pip is not unusual.
But since this one pipped the wrong end, you also have to add the 24 hours that they normally can spend breathing the air in the air cell, since it skipped that step.
So as long as you have the beak clear, just keep an eye on the membrane. You don’t want it to turn brown. Keep it moist every so often with coconut oil or Vaseline if necessary.
Yawning or mouthing motions mean it’s still absorbing yolk. Many wrong enders can hatch with no assistance, some need help, but I’d give it as much time as possible, until you feel like it’s maybe stuck, or struggling too much.

Good luck!

 

[chickens really]

Yes, timing is everything with the wrong Enders..Although if you can watch how it's acting. When they are ready the egg will wobble around as it struggles to get out. Then you can slowly begin to assist it out..Best wishes..

 

[megka03]

Thanks! I took the day off work to keep an eye on him! Any signs I should watch for showing distress or exhaustion? He’s still chirping and chewing with his beak right now.

 

[chickens really]

Thanks! I took the day off work to keep an eye on him! Any signs I should watch for showing distress or exhaustion? He’s still chirping and chewing with his beak right now.

Is it chirping and struggling? Or just peeping and yawning..

 

[casportpony]

Thanks! I took the day off work to keep an eye on him! Any signs I should watch for showing distress or exhaustion? He’s still chirping and chewing with his beak right now.

So today is day 27?

 

[megka03]

Peeping occasionally and moving his beak. Doesn’t appear to be distressed right now, but I’m not sure what to look for. There’s been no changes in over 24 hours as far as his behavior or his positioning. The egg has moved in the incubator but duckling hasn’t. Today is day 28. Noticed external pip on wrong end of egg on day 26, opened air hole after 24 hours and it’s been the same for another 24 now.

 

[casportpony]

Can you post a picture of the egg?
Have you seen this article by @Pyxis?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/guide-to-assisted-hatching-for-all-poultry.72886/

 

[chickens really]

Peeping occasionally and moving his beak. Doesn’t appear to be distressed right now, but I’m not sure what to look for. There’s been no changes in over 24 hours as far as his behavior or his positioning. The egg has moved in the incubator but duckling hasn’t. Today is day 28. Noticed external pip on wrong end of egg on day 26, opened air hole after 24 hours and it’s been the same for another 24 now.

Then try removing a tiny bit of shell.