malpositioned duck, external pip away from air cell(membrane not broken) When to assist

[WVduckchick]

How is it going now?

To me, it looks like a good pip. I know it looks like it is away from the air cell, but have you candled? In the couple of days before pipping the shell, the air cell draws down a bunch, so it is quite possible that the air cell receded that far back from your pencil mark. Like this:

If you are positive it missed the air cell, I would bet that it still broke the membrane, even though it isn’t easily visible. If you watch closely, and peck on the window, you might catch a little flap of the membrane move.

 

[citymeetscountry]

How is it going now?

To me, it looks like a good pip. I know it looks like it is away from the air cell, but have you candled? In the couple of days before pipping the shell, the air cell draws down a bunch, so it is quite possible that the air cell receded that far back from your pencil mark. Like this:
View attachment 3014852

If you are positive it missed the air cell, I would bet that it still broke the membrane, even though it isn’t easily visible. If you watch closely, and peck on the window, you might catch a little flap of the membrane move.

I’m positive it is away from the air cell. The pup was on the bottom of the egg and I “candles” through the side of the incubator. I flipped the egg over after so that the pip would be on top. I’ve also seen the membrane being pushed against but it has not been penetrated. This one has a very large drawn down air cell that was quite visible shining a light. When I saw egg shell on the floor of the incubator I realized it piped the wrong way.

ETA:no change since this morning on that egg. 1 of the others has a 2nd pip. There is still movement with the egg pipped away from the air cell.

 

[citymeetscountry]

Ok I was able to dab a little coconut oil on the exposed outer membrane via a qtip through the vent. It made the outer membrane more transparent and I did not see a bill. I think somehow the duck broke that shell and then turned around? Hopefully. The air cell seems to have shifted. I’m waiting around now to see what if any further progress it makes. Wondering if it broken the shell with its foot or something?

 

[BelovedBirds]

Ok I was able to dab a little coconut oil on the exposed outer membrane via a qtip through the vent. It made the outer membrane more transparent and I did not see a bill. I think somehow the duck broke that shell and then turned around? Hopefully. The air cell seems to have shifted. I’m waiting around now to see what if any further progress it makes. Wondering if it broken the shell with its foot or something?

Keep us updated! Perhaps he just moved his head away... hm... Hopefully there's some progress soon

 

[citymeetscountry]

Keep us updated! Perhaps he just moved his head away... hm... Hopefully there's some progress soon

Some more of the shell broke off and there is a red spot (I’m assuming blood) so I have a feeling it’s trying to pop through a vein. I *think* I saw it’s beak slice through the outer membrane some. Holding my breath and observing.

I can definitely see a slit in that outer membrane now

 

[citymeetscountry]

Since the outer membrane started looking brown I decided to assist a little. I hope I made the right choice. I chipped away just a little extra shell to see what was going on and further lifter the out membrane flap it had createdZ there’s now a hole big enough it can breathe. It’s definitely Malpositioned and not ready to hatch. Baby is chewing up a storm and I think I can see the yolk sac. Praying I did more good than harmS I applied coconut oil to the membrane and placed it back in the incubator. And now we wait. The others that externally pipped haven’t zipped yet either but they’re not at 48 hours yet. 2 have 2 pips and 1 has 3.

Not the best picture quality (can’t shine my phone light and take a pic at the same time), but this is what the one I assisted looks like.

 

[SavvyKalash]

I have read that malpositioned pips can look like bruising on the outside of the shell. Is that what this is? I'm on day 29 of hatching call ducks. They are all moving and the eggs are rocking, but no external pips yet. I just noticed this egg.

 

[citymeetscountry]

View attachment 3015324View attachment 3015328I have read that malpositioned pips can look like bruising on the outside of the shell. Is that what this is? I'm on day 29 of hatching call ducks. They are all moving and the eggs are rocking, but no external pips yet. I just noticed this egg.

It very well could be. This is my first hatch. I didn’t see bruising ahead of time just broken shell. From what I’ve read calls almost always need assistance. Mine are Rouen/Pekin mixes.

 

[BelovedBirds]

Some more of the shell broke off and there is a red spot (I’m assuming blood) so I have a feeling it’s trying to pop through a vein. I *think* I saw it’s beak slice through the outer membrane some. Holding my breath and observing.

I can definitely see a slit in that outer membrane now

Thats good! Dont worry about a small drop of blood, likely he just went through a small vessel, rather than a big blood vein.
Mine did the same during hatching, dried up as quickly as it appeared

 

[citymeetscountry]

Thats good! Dont worry about a small drop of blood, likely he just went through a small vessel, rather than a big blood vein.
Mine did the same during hatching, dried up as quickly as it appeared

2 of the 4 have hatched already. The one I was concerned about I can see the blood vessels receding. It’s still cheering some so I don’t want to intervene further. But these 2 that have hatched keep climbing all over it.

Pics are of siblings that hatched around 4 am and 6ish am