It’s been 47 hours since noticed internal pip. Is it time to assist??? HELP!

[BelovedBirds]

I’m afraid to set him down because he’s peeping and wiggling so I have him wrapped up in a blanket like a baby. I’m trying to keep his butt in the bottom of the egg, but he wants OUT!
I can’t really get a clear view at how big the sac is, but it’s definitely there.

Last year this same thing happened to one of my Wood ducks. He completely hatched and his sac was huge!
He couldn’t close his legs even.
Poor little guy was so weak he couldn’t even lift his head.
So I made him a cozy little bed in a box and nursed him back to health while he absorbed his yolk.
I have a feeling my nanny at the time chipped at some of his shell, because I can’t imagine him having enough strength to hatch on his own if he couldn’t even lift his head!

But in the case here I know he should be in a cup, but as I’ve mentioned I’m using my not so great incubator for lockdowns due to the staggered ages of my eggs. A cup would never fit in there. Should I put him in his brooder under the heat lamp? But then I’m afraid if he gets hot he won’t be able to move away from the light! Ugh!
Can’t just ONE good thing happen?
I’m exhausted and beyond stressed out.
I couldn’t even go to church so my hubby took the girls while I figure out what to do with this little one…

I

I know how stressful this must be for you!
It's understandable that you're so worried
I'm going to give my opinion on the situation

But based on the colour, and amount visible, I don't think there is very much yolk left there
He'll likely do best where it is warmer, even if he wiggles out of the egg

Put something soft on the floor of the incubator, ensure there's no hard bumps or anything that could rupture his yolk, and set him down

A cup would be ideal, but if he's desperate to get out, even in a cup he could end up rupturing his yolk while trying to.
Keep a close eye on him, and if he gets out of his shell, let us know how much yolk is left and we may revise our next steps

 

[AmyA248]

That looks pretty good to me. I suggest putting it back in the incubator, 'cause keeping it warm enough on your body is difficult, and I hate to see it die now.

Thank you for your reply!

If I put him down he’ll definitely finish hatching. His butt is in the shell like a diaper!
And I can’t fit a cup in this incubator. As I know I’m supposed to put him in a cup.
Should I put him in a cup in his brooder box under the heat lamp? But I’m afraid he’ll get hot and not be able to move away if needed.
But honestly, if I put him in the incubator he will most certainly finish hatching and I’m afraid the yolk sac will get damaged or be stuck to the shell and tear, then he could bleed out, correct?
I wish I knew how big the sac was, but I don’t want to mess with anything.

How long does it take to finish absorbing?
I don’t remember how long it took when this happened the first time last year.

Thank you SO much!!!!

 

[BelovedBirds]

Thank you for your reply!

If I put him down he’ll definitely finish hatching. His butt is in the shell like a diaper!
And I can’t fit a cup in this incubator. As I know I’m supposed to put him in a cup.
Should I put him in a cup in his brooder box under the heat lamp? But I’m afraid he’ll get hot and not be able to move away if needed.
But honestly, if I put him in the incubator he will most certainly finish hatching and I’m afraid the yolk sac will get damaged or be stuck to the shell and tear, then he could bleed out, correct?
I wish I knew how big the sac was, but I don’t want to mess with anything.

How long does it take to finish absorbing?
I don’t remember how long it took when this happened the first time last year.

Thank you SO much!!!!

The amount of time will depend on the amount of yolk left to absorb, it seems very small
I believe based on ehats visible it may be around a day until his tummy closes

 

[casportpony]

In your pictures, I see no yolk.

 

[BelovedBirds]

In your pictures, I see no yolk.

I agree this may be possible
@AmyA248 when a yolk has just been absorbed, the chick will usually be left with a bump, a very full tummy. Sometimes the naval will still be open, but the yolk itself is absorbed

Can you actually see any blood vessels on the yolk? It seems slightly pink but I can't see any details

Either way, yolk or not, I would put the baby in the incubator, just ensure the floor is soft

 

[AmyA248]

I know how stressful this must be for you!
It's understandable that you're so worried
I'm going to give my opinion on the situation

But based on the colour, and amount visible, I don't think there is very much yolk left there
He'll likely do best where it is warmer, even if he wiggles out of the egg

Put something soft on the floor of the incubator, ensure there's no hard bumps or anything that could rupture his yolk, and set him down

A cup would be ideal, but if he's desperate to get out, even in a cup he could end up rupturing his yolk while trying to.
Keep a close eye on him, and if he gets out of his shell, let us know how much yolk is left and we may revise our next steps

This group is so wonderful that I’m literally in tears. I have never met such a group of kind and compassionate people in my life.
It truly warms my heart.

Anyway, little one here is now asleep on my chest under 2 blankets. He finally settled down.
I’m so afraid to put him back in the incubator because as you know the shell has been half open and everything is very dry. I’m very afraid that the sac got stuck to the shell and when he comes out it will rip off and he’ll bleed out!

I’m so exhausted from what happened with the first one and then directly into an issue with this little one.
My husband took the girls to church and out for breakfast to try to give me a break, but no break for me. Lol!

If I lose another one I’ll be utterly gutted.
I honestly just want to sit here so I know he is safe!!!
But I’ll do as you suggest and put him back in the incubator. You don’t think I should put him in a cup in his brooder under the heat lamp??
I’ll wait to hear back from you before I do either one.

Thank you again, soooooo much!

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

I would let him hatch
That looks like a pinkish red swollen belly and that’s normal right after hatch
This will go down in its own
He needs to stay warm and rest now

 

[1Slayer]

You are doing a wonderful job!!!
I would literally do the same thing...he would stay snuggled in my boobs until he's finally ready. sending you hugs & patience..hang in there, you'll both be OK

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

Also want to add for a few hours he will look wobbly and tired
He will sleep then stumble then sleep
He won’t be hungry for 24-48 hours
The yolk fills them up so they don’t need anything while they recover from hatching
I would leave him in the bator till he is solid on his feet so you know he can get to heat and away from heat in the brooder
Once you move him to the brooder make sure he knows where the heat is , water and feed but don’t worry if he doesn’t want feed and water
That comes later

 

[BelovedBirds]

This group is so wonderful that I’m literally in tears. I have never met such a group of kind and compassionate people in my life.
It truly warms my heart.

Anyway, little one here is now asleep on my chest under 2 blankets. He finally settled down.
I’m so afraid to put him back in the incubator because as you know the shell has been half open and everything is very dry. I’m very afraid that the sac got stuck to the shell and when he comes out it will rip off and he’ll bleed out!

I’m so exhausted from what happened with the first one and then directly into an issue with this little one.
My husband took the girls to church and out for breakfast to try to give me a break, but no break for me. Lol!

If I lose another one I’ll be utterly gutted.
I honestly just want to sit here so I know he is safe!!!
But I’ll do as you suggest and put him back in the incubator. You don’t think I should put him in a cup in his brooder under the heat lamp??
I’ll wait to hear back from you before I do either one.

Thank you again, soooooo much!

I think incubator is best- you don't want him getting too warm under the heat lamp
Let him do his thing, and keep us updated