Is this a mal positioned pip or the start of unzipping??

[Lexbarlow]

It's the first egg to start a crack but I'm not sure if its unzipping or a second attempt at external pip.

I know that them having to try again can mean they dont make it so I'm not sure if I should be doing anything for them? Obv too dangerous to help them hatch but after so long should I try open the hole a little to see what's happening or something? (I did read that some people do this to see if theres still movement inside but not sure about doing it)

First timer to it all so learning as I go.
All advice welcome


Red arrow shows first crack, blue second one with actual hole

 

[Chicalina]

I would peel off the tiny loose triangle myself to give it a start, but I'm a meddler and most people will tell you to leave it alone.

 

[Orca5094]

Looks like normal unzipping, no worries! They go in a straight line around the egg until they can pop out the top.

(Please, do not help or "meddle". Everything looks totally normal and it's very important the chick hatches out on it's own.)

 

[Muscovy Wunda]

It looks like you've done an amazing job so far. But now its up to the ducklings. Ducks take their sweet time to hatch. So don't worry too much. Its only day 27. They can take up to 48hrs to zip after pip. Atleast mine do. My husband banishes me from the house at hatch time because he knows how antsy I get when I have to wait for something.

 

[Ruby Rogue]

It looks like a pip. It's within the air sac so it's not malpositioned. I would read the Guide to Assisted Hatching before considering meddling. There are veins very close to where your chick pipped which if ruptured can be fatal.

 

[Kiraeh]

If it's the first egg cracking, don't let yourself fuss with it until there are others that are completely done hatching.
I find it's not that unusual for chicks to adjust their hole before they're ready to zip, not common, but I've seen it happen.

 

[Chicalina]

Ducks take 28 days on average, but chickens only 21 hence the confusion!

I have to sit on my hands on hatching days. Its so hard. Luckily I have hens who go broody so don't need to rely on incubators, plus I've had bad luck with them so prefer the natural way. I'm lucky in that my hens will let me filch about underneath them and check the eggs (far too often, lol)

 

[Lexbarlow]

All hell has broken loose. 1 came out generally ok (1 that I first asked about) just worn itself out. Really big baby so its cramped in there. second 1 came out partly and was shrink wrapped so might have to help but doing ok for now. 3rd was shrink wrapped but had pipped at the pointy end and no air pocket so had to make a hole so it could breath, had trouble making a breathing hole due to all the vessels so didnt think I'd manage to save it at that point. Since I had to go in to that 1 i checked on 4th n is dead sadly has been a little while by looks of it.
The one upside down hasnt absorbed much at all so keeping a very close eye on him/her. Other 2 now have beak and a foot poking out and having a sleep.
Going to have a nap whilst husband is awake so I can stay up and keep an eye on it later. Both playing duck midwives.
I'm worried tho, if stops breathing then I cant help it hatch as too many blood vessels still around.
I'm doing night shift as I wont give up on the little one if I can help it in any way and couldn't forgive myself if I went to bed and the worst happened

 

[CSolis]

What day is it, and how long has it been going on? Looks normal to me..

 

[CSolis]

Once you see the pipping (cracking of the egg shell) it can take up to 24 hours while the chick is absorbing the yolk. Don't open the incubator as a drop in the humidity can cause 'shrink wrapping'.