July Hatch-a-Long (including 4th of July hatch-a-long)

[CindyinSD]

So I'm noticing a bit of a pattern with my two rescue hatches. they both make the typical pyramid, but then seem to act like they're zipping. However the membrane directly under the shell is barely punctured if at all. I caught it on the second duckling who, after gaining access to air, stopped all further attempts and is merely chirping on occasion and yawning. With lil Yuudachi, it almost seemed like it got stuck, as if it was malpositioned. Now keep in mind, this was from an abandoned nest so I wouldn't personally say it's incubator related. But is it possible that they both have some minor deficiency or that theres an egg problem I should keep an eye out for as I wait for the last egg to hatch? When I gave Yuudachi just a little help by breaking some of the shell it immediately began untucking its head. Is it possible they're both malpositioned?

All my ducks have done that. If they look like they're yawning or swallowing, they're not done absorbing the yolk. Ducks take much longer to hatch than chickens. If you try to help at this point, I'm afraid you could hurt them. Keep the humidity up--they're waterfowl after all. Other than that, from your description it sounds like sitting-on-your-hands time.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Today's date is fine... you just need a marker. You may end up putting some in the incubator if she gets tired of waiting, though. Don't give her more eggs tomorrow. If you're gonna do that, you may as well collect a bunch and put them in the incubator. (Are you gonna have enough housing for them all when they're big?)

Good point, thank you! And oh no, I wouldn’t give her any more tomorrow! I just meant like if there’s any more laid when I check again tonight then I will just let her keep those ones. Not any laid tomorrow haha but I doubt there will be any more tonight anyway. They usually lay pretty early. I wouldn’t give her any more tomorrow though, not to worry. But yes, I have the room. I only have about 16 right now since losing a few and have room for probably 20-30. though I won’t ever get up that high again hahah I like the lower numbers but do have room for a few chicks. and to grow out any boys. Will have to butcher due to the Mareks but fine by me. I have the incubator ready to set up if necessary too. Thinking I might get it up and running ASAP in case it’s needed.

 

[ShrekDawg]

I just wanted to acknowledge what you said. Even though I cannot give any guesses since I'm not a chicken person.

Ok that aside yuudachi is beginning to dry off.
Best guess a swedish variant.
The bill is really tiny. Almost reminds me of a call duck... the other one is yellow. I punctured the membrane for it. It's almost like it's unable to fully extend its neck.

Maybe a weird kind of malposition?

Thank you! Appreciate it.

 

[StormsnSaugeye]

All my ducks have done that. If they look like they're yawning or swallowing, they're not done absorbing the yolk. Ducks take much longer to hatch than chickens. If you try to help at this point, I'm afraid you could hurt them. Keep the humidity up--they're waterfowl after all. Other than that, from your description it sounds like sitting-on-your-hands time.

Right I'm not going to go into that 2nd egg. I know yawning means it's still absorbing. Like I said, it seemed to settle down after I poked through the membrane directly under the shell (Not the chorioallantoic sac) But rather the outer membrane directly under the shell.
So No rush on that one, no worries either. My only curiosity is if there's some malposition that prevents them from fully extending their little necks. The only ones I know well are the typical minor ones and the two big ones of wrong end and facing away from the air sac.
So I'm kind of fishing for ideas as to whether or not it's a malposition or if maybe these are just call ducks.

 

[AgnesGray]

So I'm noticing a bit of a pattern with my two rescue hatches. they both make the typical pyramid, but then seem to act like they're zipping. However the membrane directly under the shell is barely punctured if at all. I caught it on the second duckling who, after gaining access to air, stopped all further attempts and is merely chirping on occasion and yawning. With lil Yuudachi, it almost seemed like it got stuck, as if it was malpositioned. Now keep in mind, this was from an abandoned nest so I wouldn't personally say it's incubator related. But is it possible that they both have some minor deficiency or that theres an egg problem I should keep an eye out for as I wait for the last egg to hatch? When I gave Yuudachi just a little help by breaking some of the shell it immediately began untucking its head. Is it possible they're both malpositioned?

Ducks do take so long to hatch. Did you mist or not? I notice easier hatches in hatches when I mist. I think it keeps the shell and membrane from getting too tough and brittle. Either way, it's definitely a waiting game.

 

[StormsnSaugeye]

Ducks do take so long to hatch. Did you mist or not? I notice easier hatches in hatches when I mist. I think it keeps the shell and membrane from getting too tough and brittle. Either way, it's definitely a waiting game.

I found the eggs yesterday in an abandoned nest. I gave a summary but basically I went to a usual water side spot and this lady was trying to give this duckling to adult ducks but they were rejecting it. When I asked her what was up she pointed out the nest and how while they were fishing the duckling came running over to her and had been following her around for the last few hours. It was a bit of a scorcher yesterday and we decided to clear out and wait to see if the mother came back. We sat around and watched for about 2 hours and nothing. Finally 3 hours after I got there I decided to approach the nest while the lady dealt with the duckling that had by now imprinted on her despite her best efforts. 4 eggs total. 2 were not moving and seemed dead. 2 had pipped. 1 externally, one internally. I gave it as much time as I could but when it began to cool off I decided that I would take the two eggs home and hatch them. The duckling she found was a pekin. And it looks like the duckling that just hatched is a Swedish possibly. The other one too shows yellow down. So these are feral domestic ducks, that much is certain.

But yeah, I'm just wondering if there is a malposition that would cause them to be unable to fully pip the shell.

 

[AgnesGray]

I found the eggs yesterday in an abandoned nest. I gave a summary but basically I went to a usual water side spot and this lady was trying to give this duckling to adult ducks but they were rejecting it. When I asked her what was up she pointed out the nest and how while they were fishing the duckling came running over to her and had been following her around for the last few hours. It was a bit of a scorcher yesterday and we decided to clear out and wait to see if the mother came back. We sat around and watched for about 2 hours and nothing. Finally 3 hours after I got there I decided to approach the nest while the lady dealt with the duckling that had by now imprinted on her despite her best efforts. 4 eggs total. 2 were not moving and seemed dead. 2 had pipped. 1 externally, one internally. I gave it as much time as I could but when it began to cool off I decided that I would take the two eggs home and hatch them. The duckling she found was a pekin. And it looks like the duckling that just hatched is a Swedish possibly. The other one too shows yellow down. So these are feral domestic ducks, that much is certain.

But yeah, I'm just wondering if there is a malposition that would cause them to be unable to fully pip the shell.

Good of you to assist them! I'm sorry I missed your summary previously. Hope they all make it!

 

[FortCluck]

Just out of curiosity does anybody know what the babies might look like? LOL

I believe they will have feathering like Jack, the fluffiness (that is what my orpington cross was like). I am not sure with coloring because usually what everyone tells me will happen genetically never does sooooo use your imagination

 

[ShrekDawg]

I believe they will have feathering like Jack, the fluffiness (that is what my orpington cross was like). I am not sure with coloring because usually what everyone tells me will happen genetically never does sooooo use your imagination

Thank you!!! LOL wonder if I’ll get any Lav or lacing

 

[FortCluck]

Good point, thank you! And oh no, I wouldn’t give her any more tomorrow! I just meant like if there’s any more laid when I check again tonight then I will just let her keep those ones. Not any laid tomorrow haha but I doubt there will be any more tonight anyway. They usually lay pretty early. I wouldn’t give her any more tomorrow though, not to worry. But yes, I have the room. I only have about 16 right now since losing a few and have room for probably 20-30. though I won’t ever get up that high again hahah I like the lower numbers but do have room for a few chicks. and to grow out any boys. Will have to butcher due to the Mareks but fine by me. I have the incubator ready to set up if necessary too. Thinking I might get it up and running ASAP in case it’s needed.

It is not a guarantee that you will have to butcher because of Mareks... Some can build immunity to it, I am just unsure how. I know there is a way but I have never dealt with it so I have never really dug deep into it.