Membrane hatch problems - reading applicable 'Stickies' now!

[L0rraine]

SORRY TO HAVE POSTED THE FOLLOWING - I'LL READ THROUGH the 'STICKIES' and then decide how to intervene (or to NOT intervene). Sorry I didn't look harder first.

Hi all, I posted this question at the incubation and hatching site, but not sure if I would be better off asking for help from the 'duck' crowd - tho I think they are pretty similar to chicks when hatching. Anyway...

I posted yesterday after helping a duckling out because the shell was coming off, but it couldn't seem to get through the membrane. (the eggs are under a broody duck) I swore I'd always let nature take it's course after creating a bloody mess last night (tho' the duckling has thankfully so far survived). The membrane is even whiter and dryer in this second egg and I'm pretty sure this second duckling isn't going to make it out on its own. QUESTION - I've turned on my incubator (which I've never used) to 99 degrees and filled the water channels up (it's a still air). It seems I've read somewhere that sitting the egg on a damp towel and misting could help to soften the membrane. Should I bring the egg in from the nest and try this? And then, if I need to try to make a hole after observing it for a while, is the best place to do it where the bill is? That's where I started yesterday and got blood almost immediately.

The egg I 'helped' yesterday had some tiny punctures through the membrane, but this one is solid and I'm thinking he'll need air at some point (if it's not already too late).

It seems there have been some very good threads on how to aid the ducklings (chicks) when they can't get through the membrane, but I can't remember where to find them.

 

[duckyfromoz]

I would never help a duckling that cannot at least get through the membrane. If they get stuck once they have cracked the shell I will help them but never before.Breaking the membrane before the duckling is ready can cause its death.

If I ever help- First I peel back shell that was covering the aircell only...So that the membrane is never touched. After 24 hours if they still have not hatched after being misted with water as well, I will carefully peel the shell off the membrane - so that any veins still with blood in them are not ruptured.

 

[L0rraine]

I REALLY forced myself to wait after reading all the 'STICKIES' under the incubating and hatching section. I did go out before bed time and briefly wrapped the egg with a very warm wet cloth (avoiding the exposed membrane where I thought the beak might be). I tucked it back under Mom and the duckling was out this morning. Probably would have been out on it's own anyway, but at least last night it made me feel I was potentially helping without endangering the duckling.

These past few days have been an excellent reminder that Mother Nature has things set up to work pretty well. I forget that they have that wonderful little egg sack to give them strength through the process for a few days and that they really can struggle through it.

Anyway, thank you for your response. I wish there was some automatic application to send all of us desperate 'worry warts' to the 'hatching eggs topics sticky' as soon as we ask about helping.

Course now I have a third egg started and am worried about how long the first duckling has to wait before Mom takes it for its first feeding.

I'm laughing now .... just wait -- I'm sure there is at least one more freaked out message from me to come.