Mallard Update | Day 22 | Air Sac Question, one may be too small?

[TheMallardMan]

Was going to candle the eggs today, but the only thing I could see was the air sacs and large masses.

I did mark the air sacs on the outside of the eggs.



All of them were about the size of this one, probably 1/4-1/3 of the egg.

All except for this one, which was smaller.



Will the duckling still be able to pip and hatch, even though the air sac in its egg is smaller?

 

[TheMallardMan]

Does anyone know how small an air sac can be where the duckling or chick will still hatch?

 

[Sustained]

It needs to lose more moisture. Try misting it with a water bottle twice a day. Make sure to just lightly mist it, don't soak it lol. I'm not sure the actual chances of it hatching as-is but better to try to help the egg lose a little of that excess liquid

 

[TheMallardMan]

Total noob question, but misting it will help it loose moisture?

 

[Sustained]

Total noob question, but misting it will help it loose moisture?

Not a noob question. It does sound odd lol it changes the membrane somehow and helps it to lose excess moisture. They don't recommend to mist after day 25

 

[Sustained]

My guess on the membrane would be that it becomes more pliable which widens air cells making it easier for the moisture to escape but that's just a guess on my part. The misting really is recommended though

 

[TheMallardMan]

Crap! Well then I better start misting. Thanks for the help

 

[Sustained]

Crap! Well then I better start misting. Thanks for the help

No problem

Good luck and I hope it works for you