Incubation nightmare.

[ScooterMcPooters]

I’m on day 28 for incubating 2 khaki Campbell eggs. They both pipped and we’re hatching fine. My 3 year old hasn’t touched the incubator for all 28 days and I turned my back for less than 30 seconds and he crushed open one of the ducklings. Nothing malicious just curiosity and I didn’t have my eye on him. My fault and I feel so horrible. There was some bleeding and the egg yolk still attached. It is alive for now I wrapped it in a damp cloth and put it back in the incubator. It is moving, chirping and chewing. I’ve never incubated before so have no experience other than what I’ve read. It looks as if it’s intestines are herniated out maybe? This is a nightmare. Maybe someone with more experience would be willing to weigh in. I couldn’t get a great picture unfortunately. I’m not expecting it to survive really but don’t want to call it too soon if there’s a chance. I’m so bummed.

 

[ruthhope]

You have responded appropriately @ScooterMcPooters. Keep the little one warm and the yolk sac covered with a damp cloth. Wait patiently for 24-36 hours. As the little one is chirping and chewing it has a chance. It will live off the nutrient in the yolk sac and doesn;t need food or water for this period

Good luck. Keep us updated

 

[picklestheduck]

Maybe try to get more pictures that are clearer when you get a chance.

 

[ScooterMcPooters]

That little squiggly bit looks like intestines to me?

 

[Miss Lydia]

@New duck mommy 2021

 

[DuckyDonna]

Put the little duck in a small bowl laying on a dry paper towel and leave it in the incubator. Do NOT use a damp/wet towel! Idk what all that squiggly is but it doesn't look good to me. It is still absorbing the yolk so it will not need food or water but will need the warmth of the incubator.

 

[ruthhope]

That little squiggly bit looks like intestines to me?

But it will likely be pulled back inside the abdomen as the yolk sac contracts. I thought that there was a congenital abnormality of the duckling's abdominal wall the first time I saw what looked like guts outside the abdomen in a newly hatched duckling. I was wrong and other more experienced duck raisers said leave it be and they were right! Don't let it dry out in the incubator, though. The duckling needs warmth but the membranes need to be moist hence the damp cloth. The remains of the yolk sac can dry out once the intestines are back inside and the nutritional content of hte sac has been absorbed.

 

[ScooterMcPooters]

But it will likely be pulled back inside the abdomen as the yolk sac contracts. I thought that there was a congenital abnormality of the duckling's abdominal wall the first time I saw what looked like guts outside the abdomen in a newly hatched duckling. I was wrong and other more experienced duck raisers said leave it be and they were right! Don't let it dry out in the incubator, though. The duckling needs warmth but the membranes need to be moist hence the damp cloth. The remains of the yolk sac can dry out once the intestines are back inside and the nutritional content of hte sac has been absorbed.

I just checked on it and it is up and chirping and trying to walk around. Looks like the yolk sac is a bit smaller.

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

I disagree with the damp cloth
This chills the duckling
I have never had one hatch with the squiggly red ( inners ) hanging out
But I have had one with a larger yolk
I would wrap baby in a dry paper towel leaving its neck and head out
Then put it in a small bowl or cup and place plastic wrap 3/4 over so it’s not fully and can get air but also keeps the yolk from drying out
A second way is to use the lower half of the shell of it’s not to Broken and set baby back inside it then place it in a cup with dry paper towel to keep the egg upright and to keep babies neck and head from injury
You could always grab a fresh egg and cut off the top half
Rinse it out and dry it then place baby in it
Yes you don’t want that yolk yo dry out but you also don’t want the duckling to get to wet and cold

 

[ScooterMcPooters]

I moved it to a paper towel. It seems very alert and active. My incubator is tiny and I don’t have a cup or bowl small enough to fit in there.