Need advice! Our class is hatching ducklings. We are currently on day 28 Hatching Day but I have some concerns!

[Michelekinder]

On Day 26 my incubator's humidity went down to 4%. It was perfect all the way through until day 26 but the weekend came and I did not continue to add water to incubator because I could not get into my school. So now on Day 28- humidity is back up to 70% I have 4 eggs with a pip in each of them but no progress for the last 12 hours. Do you think they are shrink wrapped because of the humidity dropping for those 2 days? Or do you think its a good sign that they made pips even though the humidity dropped? I just want my little babies to hatch and be healthy little ducklings! Would love to hear yur thoughts! Thanks

 

[SilverBirds]

Ducklings are very slow hatchers. It usually takes 24 to 48 hours for them to go from pip to zip. If there isn't any progress after 48hrs you can start to investigate by gently peeling away the shell around the pip. Peel away just enough to see if the membrane is dry. Always stop if you see blood. If you notice the ducklings making any yawning or chewing motions, that means they're still absorbing the yolk and not quite ready to hatch yet.

 

[BastyPutt]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/assisted-hatching-thread-picture-heavy.1385740/

Here is a great article that may answer your question

 

[BastyPutt]

@Kiki are you available to help? Newer to the incubating forum, not sure who else to tag.

 

[Kiki]

I think they're fine. Ducks usually take about 2 days to hatch so I would not worry at all if I were you.
I hatch often and I usually don't even raise my humidity until I see an external pip and I don't even raise it to 70. I only raise it to about 45 and I have excellent hatches.

 

[BastyPutt]

I think they're fine. Ducks usually take about 2 days to hatch so I would not worry at all if I were you.
I hatch often and I usually don't even raise my humidity until I see an external pip and I don't even raise it to 70. I only raise it to about 45 and I have excellent hatches.

Thank you @Kiki