Mama Duck Attacked!!

[katharinad]

Pipping to soon will cause the membrane to dry out faster, which can shrink wrap the chick. You can use a nail (my choice rubbed clean with rubbing alcohol) or small tweezers for pipping. Keep on carefully tapping until you have made a small hole.
Katharina

 

[kidcallous]

I vote to pip. The first egg hatched 2 days ago, so I think if theres a little guy or girl in there, they probably need help... I'm no expert though, but if it were me, I would pop a little hole in it. Then I would wait 4 hrs or so, and if no movement - I might pull the shell off of the membrane to make it easier... I found a post with instructions here:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=9316

GOOD LUCK!!

 

[katharinad]

You can always go the natural route and let nature run its course. It either happens or doesn't. You can also say you give it another 6 hours before you make your final decision. I just can't make a decision from the pictures. It's kind of making a house call over the phone without seeing the patient. I presented you with my best knowledge at this point, so at least you are informed of your options. I really hate to have gotten you wound up and worry about a bad outcome. We all want the best. You have to rely on sound from the egg, and the chicks do rest in between too. They usually start to wake up when you move the egg around.
Katharina

 

[MamacatPatch]

Quote:
Thanks ... I have read that thread but it appears to be for eggs that have already been pipped. My egg has no pip at all. I'm starting to think it may not be a duck in there. I want to pip, but I think I'll wait a bit longer first and listen again a few times.

 

[katharinad]

Quote:
Lock down is when you increase the humidity and stop rotating. You usually have that date when you did put the eggs into the incubator. In your case we didn't know, so we were looking for wiggles or pips. You are still in lockdown right now.

A stethoscope helps listening to the eggs, but it also takes some experience because the heart beat can be very dull and low in sound. It can usually be heard better on one side of the egg. So don't run out and get one now since you are so close to the end of hatching. Just rely on putting the egg close to your ear.

Katharina

 

[katharinad]

Quote:
From the candling pictures, you do have a chick in it. The question is how far along and is it alive. Some make it almost all the way and still die. I personally had success with pipping and had some without success. So don't hit yourself to hard on the head if there is nothing. Its nature and you don't always win. There is no such thing as a 100% with each hatch. Some are perfect and others are not. On my last hatch I started off with 12 eggs, 5 started to develop, the rest was not viable, and only 2 hatched. 2 had chicks that looked complete yet they never made it. One was a complete loss since it never got close to completion. My current hatch looks really good. Got 18 eggs in the mail, one egg was broken. The remaining 17 look really good, but two are a little bit in question. So I hope for the best. I know I will have some calls to make next week, but that is just how it goes. It is stressful to be a mom to eggs in the incubator. What ever you do. It's not your fault if it doesn't work out right. Always remember that! You did your best and nature its part. So appreciate every little one that comes out. Remember when your duck died you almost never tried. We were all rooting for one or two and you have 4.

So all we can say is good luck and cross your fingers.
Katharina

 

[MamacatPatch]

Quote:
From the candling pictures, you do have a chick in it. The question is how far along and is it alive. Some make it almost all the way and still die. I personally had success with pipping and had some without success. So don't hit yourself to hard on the head if there is nothing. Its nature and you don't always win. There is no such thing as a 100% with each hatch. Some are perfect and others are not. On my last hatch I started off with 12 eggs, 5 started to develop, the rest was not viable, and only 2 hatched. 2 had chicks that looked complete yet they never made it. One was a complete loss since it never got close to completion. My current hatch looks really good. Got 18 eggs in the mail, one egg was broken. The remaining 17 look really good, but two are a little bit in question. So I hope for the best. I know I will have some calls to make next week, but that is just how it goes. It is stressful to be a mom to eggs in the incubator. What ever you do. It's not your fault if it doesn't work out right. Always remember that! You did your best and nature its part. So appreciate every little one that comes out. Remember when your duck died you almost never tried. We were all rooting for one or two and you have 4.

So all we can say is good luck and cross your fingers.
Katharina

So you believe there is a duck inside? Well, one of the most difficult lesson I've had to learn, especially having so many animals and living in the country, is that life includes death and it all works out the way God designed it to work regards of how I feel about it. I've lost kittens, chickens, cats, ducks, cockatiels, dogs, etc. Like the old serenity prayer ... God grant me the courage to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference! Whatever happens, I will deal with it by the grace and mercy of God. Thanks for the words of wisdom. I cannot thank you enough for all the help you've been to me through this! What an incredible journey it has been and still is! I plan to post update on my miracle babies, however many they turn out to be!

 

[katharinad]

Have you lately candled the other eggs? You've said they are making watery sound. Quite honest that is not so good. I wonder if they show any darkness and how big their air sacks are?
Katharina

 

[katharinad]

I thought I may share a German apple cake family recipe to celebrate the birth of the ducklings.
Enjoy,
Katharina

Apfelkuchen * Apple Cake

2 sticks of unsalted butter, room temperature softened not melted
lemon peel (equivalent of 1/2 lemon or less), I use the dried kind, can be left out
1 cup of sugar (less can be used for a less sweet taste)
1 pack of vanilla sugar (or use 1 teaspoon of real vanilla extract)
4 chicken eggs
2 1/4 cup flour
7 apples (I like to mix any kind of apples and use at least 2 granny smith apples) peeled, cored, and sliced or diced
3 tbsp sugar from the cup of sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
raisens are optional

Beat in mixer butter with the lemon peel until creamy. Add sugar, vanilla sugar, and eggs one at a time. Beat until fluffy. Now add the flour (1/3 of it at a time), and do not mix too much to keep the volume. Cover a 11x15 baking pan with parchment paper (can be found in houseware stores). Spread dough onto it about 1/2 to 3/4 inch think. Lay apple pieces and optional raisen on top. Remember not to push them into the dough, since they will sink in the baking process by themselves. Mix the remaining sugar and cinnamon in sprinkle on top. Bake at 350 degrees for about 35-40 minutes. Bottom should be golden and toothpick should come out clean.

This recipe can be used with any type of fruit like apricots, plums, hard pears... Reduce sugar when fruits are sweet. Almond slivers can be added on top, or make streusel.

 

[MamacatPatch]

Quote:
Zer gut!!!! Danke! Forgive me if I'm trashing German spelling! I only learned enough to get around and never had to write it!!