Here we go again - I'm hatching more goslings!!

[Iain Utah]

You can either let nature take its course and see if it hatches... or you can start assisting it.

 

[bayyjayy]

I can hear him in there chirping......and see him moving........what do you think I should do? How much time does he have once he breaks into the air cell.......

 

[bayyjayy]

Is the first thing I do is break a hole into the air cell? What are some of the reasons he may not be hatching on his own?

 

[newduckie]

I have had to assist geese more than I have ever had to assist anything else. Sometimes they just can't get out. I would give him a breathing hole to begin with, but I know if I ever do that, I am going to end up going further. All I can say that if you are willing to start you have to willing to finish.. Good luck either way

 

[Iain Utah]

bayjayy, he could be slower than the rest and needs no help... just sat in a cool spot in your bator or his membrane could be beginning to shrink wrap and therefore cannot break the shell because the wrap is constricting his movement inside.

To check inside, you can break a hole about the size of a pea on the top of the air cell. Be sure to candle to avoid puncturing baby. Use a drill bit or eyeglasses screwdriver. Carefully score entry point and slowly apply pressure to break through shell. Use tweezers and cuticle nail scissors to chip teeny pieces away and cut outer membrane. Shine flashlight to see inside. If all looks ok, then quickly put him back in bator and add hot water to sponges to steam it up. If baby looks stuck, make the hole the size of a quarter, mist membrane and take picture to post.

 

[bayyjayy]

Oh, Janet......okay.....I will make a hole.........and HOPE he looks okay........if I make the hole and he is okay, will that screw anything up???

 

[Iain Utah]

If your bator is in bathroom and you steam it up before opening lid, you will be fine. The main concern is exposing membrane to dry air and causing shrink wrap.

 

[bayyjayy]

it is in a bathroom but without a shower or tub.......actually it is in my laundry room. What about boiling water and do it above the water??? I PROMISE not to drop the egg. Oh, that made my stomach clench even typing it!

Janet.....do I leave well enough alone? I have SEVEN.......though I don't want to let this one go if I can help him IF he needs it. NOT sure what to do. Will try to put a hole and check him out.

 

[bayyjayy]

He sounds okay and is still moving around good, so I am going to leave him for the moment....hopefully he is just slower than the rest. Have you had some this much slower than the rest??

 

[Iain Utah]

I think you will be fine to check him out right where your bator is, if you are fast about it. This baby does seem a little behind if he has not externally pipped yet.