Mama Duck Attacked!!

Ladies! You are both living the life that I hope to one day live. Right now i'm in the middle of a dumb neighborhood on 1/3 of an acre. It's kind of depressing.. My husband and I want so bad to live on 4o or more acres and take care of ourselves. Unfortunately we are tied down here financially and can do nothing about it!!

Prayers for me please! I really want acreage, and hopefully one day will get there..
 
Quote:
You've got that right. No neighbors complaining about barking dogs..... Best I love the peacefulness.

Ok, lets start to get busy on number 5. I want you to hold it to your ear and listen for sounds of movement every 6 hours. I also want you to candle it and check for something that could look like a candle in the airsack. Let me explain. The chick will puncture the membrane and enter the airsack. That is already hard work and it will usually rest after completion. At that time it starts actively to breath air in the airsack, but it will run out eventually. The lack of oxygen will make the chick nervous and it will pip to get more air. After that it has time for resting, absorbing the yolk, and zipping. So hard part for you will be checking for any signs of airsack penetration. Everything is fine as long as you hear movement, but the moment you don't you will need to puncture the airsack carefully. I'm concerned because most of then are either out or in the process. This chick was about the same age and should not take much longer then the rest. A day is ok, but not several days. Please don't panic, but pay attention to this last egg. It's a complicated task and I still had chicks not making it and dying in the egg, because I was perhaps to late. I've read that those were usually to weak to start the journey, but you can get lucky with helping them. You may not even need to intervene at all and it makes it on its own.
Katharina
 
Last edited:
lol.png
I'll send happy acerage thoughts all around!!! And will never mention that I have land envy again! LOL.
 
Quote:
I was just going to ask you about egg #5 since there is no sign of pipping! I have candled it and the air pocket seems larger but there is still enough dark for a duck to be there. I *thought* I heard a faint CLICK sound when I put it to my ear like a duck bill against the egg shell. The line between the dark and the light isn't as straight as with the other ducks, there are some curves to the demarcation. I will continue to closely monitor because I thought he should at least be pipping by now.

The three babies are all in the brooder now and happy and lively!

UPDATE: I just filmed Duck #4 being born at 2:15 p.m. eastern time!!!! Video is on youtube:
! It's about 6 minutes long and the birth is at about 5 minutes if you just can't wait to see it right after I yelled PUSH!!!!!!!!
 
Last edited:
A scratching sound means movement. A clacking means the bill is in the airsack trying to pip. I would give it another 6 hours and check again. You may have to peck a small hole into the airsack. The last eggs are usually the ones that may need a little bit help.

You don't want to be too early intervening, but you don't want to be to late either. So is may be more your call. In the past I've noticed is that the ones hatching last tend to have very thick membranes too. So once you pip it you will need to still keep an eye on it and watch for clacking and zipping activity. If that doesn't seem to come along you need to chip away and carefully peel the membrane. This sometimes can get bloody. The key is to stop pulling the membrane as soon as you see blood and put it back for another 2-4 hours and then try again. You will have to stop once you hit the half mark of the egg. From there it can do it by itself and it may take some time. Forgot to mention the I usually use a toothpick for peeling the membrane. Have a papertowel with warm water ready.
Katharina
 
Last edited:
Oh my gosh ... I'll get right on it!

I did just now check and did NOT hearing the clicking or any movement. I took some pix tho. What do you think? Am I just having wishful thinking that it contains a duck? These are from three different sides of it. Sorry for the blur, stupid camera won't focus clearly with the flash on!

100_2308.jpg


100_2306.jpg


100_2307.jpg


Should I peck a small hole in this egg? How would I do that without cracking the whole thing?
 
Last edited:
This is so hard. You really are looking for a small bill moving in the air sack. Can't help you that much right now. It more your call. Wait or poke a small hole? No pro can really help either. It's miss and hit thing. It stinks to have to make a decision. I personally would pip it, if I did hear a clucking sound before. I currently have 17 eggs that are due next week. Lockdown is Tuesday. I have one with a very large air sack too. It worries me a little bit, but I do hear a heart beat so we have to see.
Katharina
 
Quote:
What is the result of pipping it too soon? Pros and cons one way or the other?

What can I use to pip it?

What is a Lockdown?

You hear a heartbeat??? Man I need to buy a stethoscope!!
 
Last edited:

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom