internally pipped but not externally, when should i help to hatch?

[5fathens]

Hi,
i have some call duck eggs that started under our broody duck but ended up in the incubator at various stages ( she nested in the chicken box so they kept getting kicked out and the last 2 she just gave up on yesterday) i believe 4 have internally pipped in the last few days and are still alive but no external pip yet, at what point should help them out? i think they are now at between 26-28 days after she first sat, but she did spend a lot of time off the nest too which i think may have slowed down their development a little.
i guess my question is how long can they be left internally pipped and still have a chance without my interfering?
i don't want to 'help' but be too early or leave them and be too late....
thanks for reading, any advice would be very welcome

 

[bex1983]

I’m fairly new to this but as far as I know the air sac should have enough air to sustain them for 24 hours, but if you are worried you can always make a tiny “safety hole” in the egg where the air sac is to make sure they don’t run out of air before externally pipping.

@WVduckchick
@chickens really

 

[chickens really]

Hello..As long as your positive they have internally pipped you can make a tiny safety hole in the air cell. They definitely are slow hatchers.

 

[5fathens]

thanks for your replies, how do i go about making the hole and how big should it be? also how can i be totally sure they've internally pipped?
the air sac line is no longer straight and i can see movement but only on the bottom part of the air sack ...
thanks

 

[chickens really]

thanks for your replies, how do i go about making the hole and how big should it be? also how can i be totally sure they've internally pipped?
the air sac line is no longer straight and i can see movement but only on the bottom part of the air sack ...
thanks

Well if your not experienced in knowing what your seeing it's tough to help you. When candled you will see the head and bill inside the air cell and possibly hear Peeps. If just pushing on the membrane it's not safe to make a safety hole yet.

 

[5fathens]

thanks, i assume that if the shape is still a bit blurry that prehaps they are still trying to get through the first bit? is it best to candle with the airsack at the top to see how/if they've pipped inside?

 

[chickens really]

thanks, i assume that if the shape is still a bit blurry that prehaps they are still trying to get through the first bit? is it best to candle with the airsack at the top to see how/if they've pipped inside?

I Candle all eggs on their side..

 

[bhaugh]

Be careful of that hole. The membrane dries out faster

 

[5fathens]

thanks, i have managed to get a good look at them again and they appear to still be trying to break into the air sack, having a good wriggle and poking their beaks into it but so far not fully internally pipped, it looks as if the inner membrane is stretching but not yet broken, should i just keep checking on them, i'm assuming that breaking both shell and inner membrane is a complete no no?!

 

[chickens really]

thanks, i have managed to get a good look at them again and they appear to still be trying to break into the air sack, having a good wriggle and poking their beaks into it but so far not fully internally pipped, it looks as if the inner membrane is stretching but not yet broken, should i just keep checking on them, i'm assuming that breaking both shell and inner membrane is a complete no no?!

No.. Lockdown and leave the incubator alone. Now you wait.