Now what!?

[MROO]

Pretty babies! And a nice set-up, too! Years ago, when we had mallards, I was worried about babies drowning in Mama's bucket. I put a stair-step of patio bricks the 4 inch square ones, in the bucket so the babies would have a place to climb out on if they accidentally fell in. I'm glad I did, because one little adventurer was a little too good at flying/jumping lessons. It had to be fished out at least twice, that I can remember!

 

[Miss Lydia]

My goodness mama is sure crushing those shells . How’s the little one doing?

 

[crc310]

The one from last night died Another this morning hatching. There were maggots on another that had its shell crushed some. It’s still moving. I removed all the maggots I could find inside. I have it in a 6”x6” box with paper towels under it. There’s a tiny (4”x4”) under the tank reptile heater inside a little tank. Assuming all I can do it wait? Not peeping yet but was opening/ closing its mouth when I was working on it. I placed a slightly damp paper towel over the box to keep in moisture. Because it’s raining, humidity in the house is 66% (according to wall gauge). I don’t have a hygrometer to check in the box. Anything else?

 

[crc310]

Not sure if u should bring other one in that’s hatching?

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Adorable! Enjoy those precious fuzz babies!

 

[Miss Lydia]

@crc310 Have you looked in the nest to see if the maggots are all in the nest? you may have to remove mama and bedding and put in fresh. As for the one trying to hatch usually opening and closing their bill means they are absorbing the blood vessels. So just keep with what your doing and hopefully it will hatch. I have seen not to put a wet paper towel directly on the egg. So sorry about the one that died. How many eggs left?

 

[crc310]

The paper towel is like a canopy, resting on the box. Re: the maggots, I was gonna check later. Hoping I don’t need to but she’s very upset when I go in there. Not sure if checking too much is why she is crushing her eggs? I can scoop and remove the nest if needed. I can just put her outside the pen without her baby for a few min.

 

[crc310]

Can’t remember how many... I checked them last night but she kept moving right back on them, then with the one dying and the one in the house... maybe 5?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Once your sure maggots are gone leave her alone maybe she will settle down and not crush any more. Sure hope all goes well from here on out. Check the ones that have hatched to for maggots around the vent. Mama too.

 

[crc310]

Ok, good idea. The maggots I’m assuming started on the chick that died... there was bloody (assuming part they absorb). Should I remove the other one if she’s crushed most of the egg? Or if there’s maggots? And just try to finish hatching inside with the other? I can just put them under mom again once out?