My duck eggs hatching early!?!? Did I do something wrong?

[WVduckchick]

Do I help him? I have this one little fella, his bill has been out of the shell like this since yesterday:

I wouldn't help until at least 40 hours after first pip. Ducklings can take a little longer than chickens, so don't worry too much yet. Just watch and make sure you still hear knocking every once in a while, and doesn't look distressed. I just had 2 take over 40 hours, so I feel your pain. lol

 

[Bsranch3]

He hasn't put the bill back in the egg to pip at it, is my concern. He opens his bill pretty wide when I talk to him but no pecking at the shell from the inside cuz his bill is outside! Lol just nervous I suppose!

 

[Bsranch3]

Pip and his sibling in the brooder

 

[casportpony]

@WVduckchick , thought of you when I helped one out of the shell just now... cord was wrapped around the tail and that was keeping it from absorbing it's yolk.

@Bsranch3 , note that I am not suggesting that you help, waiting like WVduckchick suggested it probably the best thing.

-Kathy

 

[WVduckchick]

Awww so sweet!

I had one pip just below the air cell. Worried me to death with its bill hanging out the hole. Other new hatchlings pecked at it enough that he had a hole in his bill for a few days! It healed over in less than a week. But while still in the shell, he finally pulled it back in and started to turn and zipped out on his own.

 

[WVduckchick]

@WVduckchick
 , thought of you when I helped one out of the shell just now... cord was wrapped around the tail and that was keeping it from absorbing it's yolk. 

@Bsranch3
 , note that I am not suggesting that you help, waiting like WVduckchick suggested it probably the best thing. 

-Kathy

Thanks Kathy. That one of mine looked pretty wrapped up! Glad you had a good outcome!

 

[casportpony]

Quote: Not so sure how good an outcome it is, cause it's been sitting in a cup for 72 hours trying to absorb. I mean it sat long enough that the gunk in the shell was starting to smell rotten,

so I fear it could have an infection and it's probably dehydrated.

--Kathy

 

[eggorthechicken]

He hasn't put the bill back in the egg to pip at it, is my concern. He opens his bill pretty wide when I talk to him but no pecking at the shell from the inside cuz his bill is outside! Lol just nervous I suppose!

I usually can't wait that long...lol. How long has it been it there?

 

[WVduckchick]

Not so sure how good an outcome it is, cause it's been sitting in a cup for 72 hours trying to absorb. I mean it sat long enough that the gunk in the shell was starting to smell rotten,  so I fear it could have an infection and it's probably dehydrated.

--Kathy

Oh goodness. I'm sorry. I just assumed... Have you tried cleaning it up or anything? Ugh... I sure hope he makes it for you!

 

[Bsranch3]

I am not eager to help, just will if it means giving a baby a chance it otherwise might not have! My first hatch so I'm just on the edge of my seat Saturday, the kids are home so there will be extra eyes peeking in on them all day and any sign of trouble would be noticed and reported! They might come up with questions I haven't thought of yet so be warned;-)