I'm amazed!?!

[Forest_Nymph]

I had an AH-AH moment, and covered the top of the tote with insulated batten pinned on with clothespins and just the light showing through a cut out area. Gosh, I hope this works out...

My avatar is "Nougie", the mother of these eggs.

 

[shelleyd2008]

Quote:
I wonder if you take the chicks away, will she set on the eggs again? Then once the ducks hatch you can give the chicks back?

 

[Forest_Nymph]

Thats a thought.

Not sure about that though. Last night when I tucked the eggs under her, she immediately snuggled them down and accepted the eggs as if to finish hatching them off...

temp. 90.7 (fluctuating) (sp....dictionary used as a riser!) LOL
humid. 48%

edit to add, temp now at 95.0 and staying stable . (4:43)

 

[Forest_Nymph]

Update!

The egg that was pipping has expired. I nicked the large end to see its bill had made it through the slanted air sac. There is no life in it...
The 2 remaining eggs were screaming and are still active. They sound distressed.
What do I do?
I suspect the shells are hard...

Need advise please.

 

[froggie71]

If it were me, I might pip the outer shell where the air sac is. This way they can be sure and get air. The humidity must be kept up then, because the membrane can shrink wrap. If you can see this they will need help, but try not to do too much, because they really need to be able to get themselves out of the shell or they will be too weak. Good luck. It's really nerve wracking.

 

[Forest_Nymph]

It sure is nerve wracking!
I broke the shell and can see their bills. They seem calmer and more responsive. they're still squirming. Removing some more shells very carefully and keeping them moist with q-tips.

I dissected the embryo that expired and its bellybutton was nearly closed. I suspect the dry shell prevented it from breaking out and it suffocated.

I hope this works...
It sure is a nailbiter!

 

[Duck Keeper]

At least if they have air they won't die. I've heard it takes them a lot longer to hatch because the carbon dioxide won't build up and signal them that they need to get out, but if you keep the membrane wet and keep them in the shell for another day or so to make sure the blood is dried up, you can SLOWLY SLOWLY peel teeny tiny parts of the inner membrane off the baby, making sure NO BLOOD VESSELS are torn during the process.

Eventually you can take the entire large end off and let the duckling kick it's self out of the shell, but you need to be careful that you don't rush the process and let it out before the yolk is absorbed.


Time consuming (and bad on your heart and other assorted nerves

), but if you're determined to let it live, it's the way to go.

 

[Forest_Nymph]

Thanks, this confirmation helps me focus on getting these critters out safe and sound.
I was up every 2 hours last nite just to keep the shells moist. this morning the distress signals demanded I intervene.
The end shells are open and they talk to me and even saw one yawning. Currently, they're resting here beside the puter in their makeshift incubator. Breathing seems normal. Occasionally I will see them stretch up their bills.

Praying they will make it...

Any other advise?

 

[froggie71]

My only advice is to be as patient as you can and more so. It takes so long for ducks to hatch. You'll want to intervene more than you should. Just a given. I had to keep yellling at my DH that they need time especially if the temp has been lower than it should be. The humidity and the shrink wrap is what you should be most concerned about.

 

[Forest_Nymph]

Ok, I'll take that advise, thanks.