Is this a shrink wrapped egg?

[Zombified]

This is my first time hatching eggs. These eggs are from an abandoned nest(mom got eaten by a bobcat). So far one has hatched. I think this is the only other living one, and I would hate to have one lone duckling. I have already assisted this egg since about 5pm. It's 2am now. I have chipped away all the shell that you see chipped away, trying to follow the assisted hatch post.

I think this duckling is either shrink wrapped, or way too big. She can hardly move at all. I don't want to rush her, but I have to get up at 6am for work, and then I'll be at work for seven hours and can't help her at all. So if she doesn't come out soon, I don't think she will at all. ):

Anyway, I need a much more experienced eye to tell me if this is, indeed, shrink wrapping.

 

[glasses]

Hi, I havent done a hatch yet, although my 4 little ones should be starting to hatch anytime soon. I do know to keep the membrane moist. Higher the humdity, you can also put a tiny finger drop of water onto the membrane. From what I've gathered the membrane should be clear. If it's not then they are/have dried up. Also the chances of your little duck finishing the hatch on it's own now is slim.
Like I said mine haven't started hatching yet so I'm going by what I've researched. But didn't want to pass by without giving any advice at all. Hope someone who has experience can help you soon. Fingers crossed for you

 

[Zombified]

Well, little Hephaestus(her name, if she survives) made it through the night (the whole three hours that I was able to sleep...) and then made it all day while I was at work. I got home an hour late, too, and she's still alive. I was able to call my grandmother on my break and give her a few simple instructions to make sure the membrane stayed moist. When I got home, both the outer and inner membranes were pretty dry, though. Not too bad. My grandmother is forgetful, so I expected that, but I know she wet them at least once, because she did it while I was on the phone with her.

Heph really isn't very vocal, but then again, neither is Zeus. And Zeus is now impatiently waiting for me to set up a little area outside with the big ducks so they can all start getting used to each other. Plus, I've read that bringing them out from day one helps them grow their feathers, and I'm hoping that Zeus will learn to forage. He was officially one day old at 3pm.

It did initially concern me that neither Zeus nor Heph were very vocal during their hatch, but I'm wondering if that has to do with their Welsh Harlequin lines? Plus, their mother, who was a Mallard, was only vocal if she was bored, hungry, or trying to get a little lovin' from Erebus. Either way, Zeus is SO much more alert and active than my ducks were when I got them as a ducklings, so I'm not worried about him so much anymore. And honestly, I'm not that worried about Heph anymore. I think she just isn't ready to come out yet.

I did almost completely "zip" the cap off for her, but I did accidentally tear something, and she bled a bit, so I stopped. That was this morning, at around 6am. I haven't decided if I should continue zipping, or if I should leave her alone. But since it's been well over 24 hours since she initially externally pipped, I think I may go ahead and continue zipping. If she starts bleeding again, I'll leave her alone for a few more hours and try again.

Thank you, Glasses, for at least offering me advice. I was a wreck last night, but I'm happy I did finally talk myself into going to sleep. I felt much better in the morning, when she was still alive. I keep telling myself not to rush things, but it was hard last night. I didn't want to leave her for seven hours in the egg, but I'm SO happy that I did. It was clearly the best choice for her. Thanks again.

 

[glasses]

Aww I'm glad to hear all went well. it is very hard to decide whether to help or not. I have 4 cayuga eggs now on day 29. One of the eggs externally pipped 18 hours ago. It's still wiggling but the pip hasn't changed at all. And from what I can see there's no hole as such, it's more like a blister. I'm thinking of just opening the pip up to help. But I don't want to risk killing the duckling. But surely it would have made more progress... The other 3 haven't done anything, and I haven't seen them move for a while either will just keep my fingers crossed.
Fab news for you though

 

[Zombified]

Well, I think it was shrink wrapped at first, but I kept it moist and the duckling FINALLY hatched. With A LOT of help. And I do mean a lot. Her left leg is deformed. ): I'm currently trying to decide if I should cull her, or give her a chance to try and make it. Which is such a difficult decision, because once she was out, you could tell that if her leg wasn't messed up, she would have been very active. As it is, she does get around pretty well. She is also larger than Zeus, so I think that also caused issues. She was way too big for that little egg.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Well, I think it was shrink wrapped at first, but I kept it moist and the duckling FINALLY hatched. With A LOT of help. And I do mean a lot. Her left leg is deformed. ): I'm currently trying to decide if I should cull her, or give her a chance to try and make it. Which is such a difficult decision, because once she was out, you could tell that if her leg wasn't messed up, she would have been very active. As it is, she does get around pretty well. She is also larger than Zeus, so I think that also caused issues. She was way too big for that little egg.

Glad to hear she finally made it out, can you post pics? and have you seen this/ lots of good info on leg problems maybe something will give you an idea on how to help her..
https://sites.google.com/a/poultrypedia.com/poultrypedia/poultry-podiatry

 

[Zombified]

Miss Lydia, thank you for that link! And yes, I will post pictures here in a couple minutes. Right now she and Zeus are in the brooder. Zeus actually isn't running her over or anything, but last I checked, they weren't cuddling either. But I'm sure that they will be soon.

 

[Zombified]

Okay, so, looking again, her whole left side seems pretty messed up. I think she was stuck in that egg for way too long. I can't tell if she can or can't turn her head to the left, and I don't feel comfortable enough trying to test how far she can move her head myself, but every time I've looked at her, she's been lying with the right side of her head facing up.

Sorry the pictures aren't totally clear, but you can still see what I'm talking about.

Zeus is on the left, Heph on the right.


And here is her leg. You can also see it in the above picture. Do you see what I mean about it seeming to be stuck?

 

[Zombified]

Yes, she can turn her head. She has actually been using it to help her get around.

I thought, after reading that link, Miss Lydia, that it may be a slipped tendon, but when I tried to stretch it per the instructions, it wouldn't move past a centimeter or two. It also shook occassionally, like she was also trying to move it, but couldn't.

I'm pretty upset at myself right now. I *know* that I had niacin, and I know that I put it up, but I can't for the life of me remember where. D< When my dad and boyfriend get home, I'm going to go to the store and get Vitamin B12 and Niacin, along with a poultry (or at least livestock) vitamin and electrolyte powder and some Polyvisol. Unfortunately, the guys won't be home for several hours. =/ I don't work until the afternoon tomorrow, so I can also buy anything that's not at the grocery store, at TSC in the morning.

I don't know if it'll help, but I gave her Vitamin E, as well. I figure even if it won't help her, it can't hurt to give it to her.