I need help with this hatch: over 48 hours since pip. **Pic added.*

[Jaceland02]

Its morning here now too...just after midnight- so I wont be on too much longer.

It really is a worrying time. I know that I sometimes worry about certain eggs - maybe the aircell was a little smaller or bigger than the others.. Sometimes i see a kind of yellow mark on the inside of the shell.. sometimes I sit and watch an egg for what seems like hours just wanting to see it wobble once to show that the duckling inside is still alive.

There is a process they go through in order to hatch - and each of those things has to happen in order - the duckling will actually almost totally run out of air- that causes spasms which is when the duckling will finally break through the membrane- then it happens again resulting tin the breaking of the shell. Once the egg is cracked and it can breath, the duckling will rest for a while, and during this time the yolk and blood from the veins is absorbing. This also allows a little more movement and the duckling will start to turn around which allows the yolk and blood to absorb faster. Trying to help a duckling out of the egg can result in torn veins and that can result in a dead or very weak duckling. Also getting them out of the egg too early can increase the risk of an infection entering through the open navel.

But on the other hand- helping is sometimes necessary if the duckling is stuck under the membrane. Knowing exactly when to help is hard sometimes- as another thing to consider is that sometimes something is wrong with the duckling. Allowing it to slip away in the egg before hatching is sometimes kinder than helping it out and having it be sick or struggle for a few days before passing.

You are doing fine... Your babies will soon be with you .

I'm on hour 39 and came to do some research, I needed to read this! Lol