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

[QuackerJackFarms]

GrannyCarol thanks for that link. It's a wonderful resource for sure! Some of my eggs look like day 24 except for they're day 28 now. So I thought that was interesting.


Here's an update for everyone-
Ducky #1- The egg that had pipped over 48 hours ago.. I helped it along a ways. I found it's beak about an inch from the pip it had made. The outermost membrane is leather. The inner membrane is moist. It didn't appear to be stuck to it, but I didn't expose much torso. I just opened the hollow area where his beak should have been. I feel good about helping him. He seems to have gotten a second wind and I'm leaving him alone for awhile now. I will tell you, I don't think he will get out on his own. But he won't die soon so I'll give him some more time.

Ducky #2- I can hear a peck about every minute or so. He is getting weaker for sure. He has not pipped at all. This is the egg that was vigorously peeping at me Monday. He is no longer responding to my peeps. So basically I feel like this one isn't going to make it. He should have at least pipped by now.
I'm still trying to decide what to do at this point.

So that's my update. Thanks for all the advice and I'll keep you posted.

These forums are like little online diaries. Very therapeutic.

 

[duckyfromoz]

In times of desperate need, I will take in hand my trusty little drill bit. Carefully rubbing it I make a small hole through the shell. Being extremely careful not to apply too much pressure- as that could shatter the egg- or mean the duckling gets stabbed once the shell is drilled through. I then take tweezers and peel of just a little so I have a hole about 1/8 of an inch. I shine the torch in to see if the duckling is shrink wrapped by the dry membrane. If not I just leave it- if it is I will open just a little more of the shell so that I can dampen the membrane either with a cotton tip or by spraying with a fine mist- being careful not to get the bill.

I try not to intervene- but at times it can be necessary. Just remember every time you open the incubator to help one duckling- it can effect them all.

 

[QuackerJackFarms]

Well Good Morning DuckyfromOz,

I went ahead and helped it some more and this is when I saw the problem. She was totally stuck to the outer membrane, which BTW was yellowing and brown in spots. I had to wet it with warm water/cue tip to separate the membrane from the shell. I made a zip like the duck should have done and this is the end result..

The other egg I'm waiting til morning. I upped humidity to 70 and am hearing some more activity in it. Thanks for all your help. I will post a fuzzy but pic after it dries and becomes cute.

 

[QuackerJackFarms]

One more thing: I also think it's weird that there is a string of yolk up near its neck and when tearing back some of the outer membrane I found a dark yellowy (but not yolky) "thing". Ya know how when you order rice from a chinese resterant? And they boil egg bits in with it, it looked like that. (odd description I know.) I've never seen anything like that before. It was about the size of a dime and attached to the membrane near the air sac.

 

[duckyfromoz]

Welcome to the world little one!!!

Are the eggs standing up for hatching? I have all mine laying down the whole way through. There can be a variety of different kinds of " gunk" in the egg and on the duckling when its hatches - ranging from what looks like a humongous booger, to clumps of grey matter. I wouldnt be too concerned about what you saw.

 

[Miss Lydia]

So cute even wet. I hope the other one gets started now and hatches so this lil one will have a buddy, come on lil one get going

 

[QuackerJackFarms]

Oh man, what a long night. Little Beaker was going full throttle for most of it. Now he/she's sleeping. I think it's breathing is a little labored so I'm not considering it out of the woods yet..

Sure is a cute little booger.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
Are you talking about the one that was still in the egg after the first one hatched?

 

[QuackerJackFarms]

Quote:
Are you talking about the one that was still in the egg after the first one hatched?

No, sorry. This is the only one I assisted. This is the one that had already pipped on its own.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
Are you talking about the one that was still in the egg after the first one hatched?

No, sorry. This is the only one I assisted. This is the one that had already pipped on its own.

Oh sorry I hope it will continue to strengthen, what about the other one ?