Is this duckling shrink wrapped?

[Apartmentduck]

@Apartmentduck please update with what day of incubation this is and what breed you're incubating.

@MGG

They are Khaki Campbell’s day 25

 

[Apartmentduck]

Why is the temperature at 98.4?
What day are you on

I thought for hatching you bring it down to 98/97 and bring the humidity up.

 

[FeatherTay]

I thought for hatching you bring it down to 98/97 and bring the humidity up.

Maybe it’s different for ducks. But I have never done that for chickens.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Wow! That is early for KC's. I would just let it be for now. Keep an eye on the membrane and if it starts to get brown and leathery, then you can apply some coconut oil. Hopefully those veins will be absorbed before any further assistance is necessary. Do you have any other external pips? What day did they internally pip? Was that all of them?

 

[HeatherKellyB]

I don't decrease my incubator temp during hatch at all at any time. The only thing I change in preparation for hatch is the humidity and of course I stop/remove turner and I place something under the eggs to ensure the hatchlings don't end up slipping and injuring themselves.

Ducks take a lot longer to hatch than chickens, so even with an internal pip, it could still be days before they hatch

 

[Apartmentduck]

I don't decrease my incubator temp during hatch at all at any time. The only thing I change in preparation for hatch is the humidity and of course I stop/remove turner and I place something under the eggs to ensure the hatchlings don't end up slipping and injuring themselves.

Ducks take a lot longer to hatch than chickens, so even with an internal pip, it could still be days

 

[Apartmentduck]

Thank you so much for all your kind words and reassurance. This is my first incubator clutch so I’m so nervous! I’ve read so many articles and videos yet it didn’t help the anxiety I feel in this moment. I’ve even watched several videos on how to assist If the time comes but before I do I’ll at least wait till their official hatch day. I’m just so nervous they will die.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Thank you so much for all your kind words and reassurance. This is my first incubator clutch so I’m so nervous! I’ve read so many articles and videos yet it didn’t help the anxiety I feel in this moment. I’ve even watched several videos on how to assist If the time comes but before I do I’ll at least wait till their official hatch day. I’m just so nervous they will die.

You're welcome! I've been exactly where you are and it wasn't that long ago. I have fallen in love with Call Ducks and they're notoriously difficult to hatch because they have very short necks and bills. I've hatched many chickens but that was my first time with ducks. With the help of some amazing folks here, I hatched 4 adorable call ducks not very long ago. I've got Aztec Duck eggs that are almost ready to hatch now. They've all pipped internally and have safety holes. This breed is half Call Ducks so I'm anticipating them needing assistance but hopefully they'll do fine on their own. I am still very nervous but sometimes they don't make it in spite of our best efforts. That's heartbreaking so I can relate. We're doing the best we can and that's all we can do. You've got this! Try to sit back and relax (yes I know that's much easier said than done) let them finish everything they need to do before hatching and just be prepared in the chance they need assistance. I'd like to share the best article I've read about assisting. I've read this article so many times and will continue to read it before every hatch and again before I do any assisting.

Guide to Assisted Hatching for All Poultry

There are so many here that will be happy to help or answer any questions that may come up. Feel free to ask. I can't wait to see pictures of your little ducklings!!!

 

[HeatherKellyB]

I did lose one of the Call Ducklings during the hatch unfortunately. I still feel horrible about it because I was assisting. I'm not sure exactly what happened to cause it's death but the other ducklings kept my attention which helped a lot. Sometimes we lose one or however many but we have to keep our thoughts clear to do whatever is needed (waiting it out, assisting, etc) to help the others. I'm wishing you the best with this hatch. I love KC's!!!

 

[Apartmentduck]

I did lose one of the Call Ducklings during the hatch unfortunately. I still feel horrible about it because I was assisting. I'm not sure exactly what happened to cause it's death but the other ducklings kept my attention which helped a lot. Sometimes we lose one or however many but we have to keep our thoughts clear to do whatever is needed (waiting it out, assisting, etc) to help the others. I'm wishing you the best with this hatch. I love KC's!!!

I’m just so worried that this duckling is shrink wrapping and I think in a strange position. This is my egg with one of the weirdest looking saddle air cells I’ve seen. I didn’t even think it was viable