Malpositioned duckling

[Kayleewoo]

Hi! I’ve been a long time lurker but need a bit of help. I’m hatching ducks, one of my eggs is very small, about the size of a regular chicken egg. The egg was cracked (Air sac end) so I stuck some duct tape over it and carried on. He’s now internally pipped- I removed the tape in order for him to hatch and bits of shell came off. He’s been like that for about 16 hours. He’s doing well, breathing properly and making the odd whistle. What I’m concerned about is that his head appears to be between his legs. As this egg is so small is it going to be a massive issue?

 

[Kayleewoo]

I wasn’t going to help just yet. He seems to be breathing ok. Doesn’t seem distressed. I’m keeping the membranes moist and checking for drying.

 

[Kayleewoo]

This is what mine looks like. A beak sticking out of the centre and something that is a wing or leg next to the beak

 

[WVduckchick]

They are curled up inside the egg, neck all twisted around, so yours may be normal. Chickens tuck their heads under their wing, but ducks usually end up with a leg over their head too.

Not the greatest pic, but normal position.

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

I had one like this and I eventually had to peel him out. If he is getting air I would wait a little longer before starting to peel. @Pyxis @WVduckchick . Here is a picture of one of my malpositioned.

 

[WVduckchick]

Did you mean to attach a picture?

I think she meant your pic is what hers looks like?

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

Ahhh. Ok. That's little Hare Krishna. He came out alright but it took 48 hrs from pip to out.

 

[Kayleewoo]

I got home from work today and unfortunately he didn’t make it. It was a wing next to his head- not a leg as I thought. He hadn’t moved since this morning. Membrane was still white and hadn’t dried out- so really not sure what had happened

 

[chickens really]

The egg size shouldn't matter. 16 hours isn't really too long to still be absorbing the yolk before it's ready to zip out.

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

This is what mine looks like. A beak sticking out of the centre and something that is a wing or leg next to the beak

Did you mean to attach a picture?