Need help for hatchling fast

[maureenclaire]

I have one baby duck that hasn't come out yet. It is very sticky and the membrane is still full of blood vessels that are red, not brown yet. It's been over 48 hours since it started to unzip and I don't know what to do. I've tried wet towels, wet qtips on the membrane. I've removed shell meticulously without harming the membrane and it's stuck still and now there is a yellow yolk colored fluid coming out of its nostrils every time it breathes. Please tell me if there is anything I can do to help it. This is the last one and all the others made it. I don't want to loose it!

 

[maureenclaire]

I also tilted him slightly upright to hopefully help the fluid drain down his throat. He doesn't have the bubbles anymore and he seems to be breathing rhythmically now. The feathers are stuck in the sticky substance and have hardened. Should I keep wetting it with warm water??

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

Oh I'm not a hatcher- but I've seen mamma ducks hatch, plus I've seen here where people have taken a washcloth, twisted it, and Rolled it into a sort of donut shape, then place the duckling in the center of that. The idea is to keep it upright while it absorbs the yolk sac. I have no idea about what you are describing with the fluids tho I also can't really advise you on humidity since I also let mamma duck take care of all that too. Sometimes , even in the best circumstances, there are some we can't help. Hatching is a long and difficult process , and sadly some just don't make it. I'm sorry you are experiencing this, and I hope that someone with more experience to offer you comes on soon.

Question: is the bill thru the membrane at all? It should be.

 

[Carrosaur]

Some call duck hatchers had this problem with several hatches and they solved the problem I think hopefully they come around. One is peachncrm37 and another is Lacrystol hope they can help. Maybe you could message them.

 

[Amiga]

Here is a thread with some advice from Lacrystol - you may want to pm her now.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/861428/no-hatching-progress-24-hours-temperature-problem/10

Or Iain Utah, or yinepu, or casportpony or Aoxa - just a few I can think of.

This is a page by Lacrystol on hatching - it refers to safe holes - please check it out.

http://www.lwbarnhouse.com/method1.html

It is not long, and at the end is some information that looks really helpful.

 

[maureenclaire]

Thank you all very much for the quick responses. The membrane was stuck to his little body like glue. I managed to moisten it using q tips (about 400 of them!) and I was able to free him from the membrane. I had humidity problems during incubation (my first time). The membrane was so tough and leathery. I had all these babies hatch on different days and I think me having to open the incubator repeatedly may have added to this guys problems. I will know much better if I choose to do this again. This has been nerve wracking not knowing what to do. I have read everything I can find and I still feel like I was in the dark here. I have been at this since last Thursday! All the eggs I incubated hatched and three babies already have a new home and four more are chirping and making a giant mess in their water for me to clean tomorrow! Please keep your fingers crossed for this last little guy. I think he really needs all the help he can get.

I have his lower half, which is still semi-connected to the egg, and where his unabsorbed yolk sac is, covered with a moist paper towel and I have the temp at 99. He seems to be breathing a bit easier and he can close his eye now because I was able to remove all the sticky membranous material from his down. No more fluid is coming from his nostrils but I haven't heard him peep in a while. He may just be exhausted...like his mommy. I'm taking a nap. Thanks again for all your input and help guys.

 

[Carrosaur]

Good to know you got him mostly out bad things are under control.

 

[maureenclaire]

He died last night. Thank you for the responses though. I feel awful and completely guilty and responsible. We are going to bury him today and plant a pretty shrub or tree where he is. All life is special and despite the fact that people say this happens all the time, or that this is just he way it is, it really means something more to me. I don't know if I will be able to incubate my Pekins eggs anymore because this was really hard for me. I did not expect to feel this way. This is a great site. Thanks for your support!

 

[Carrosaur]

So sorry. Sending love your way, don't let this end your hatching story!

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

Sorry, Maureen, you tried.