Now what!?

[happy duck]

What fun!! Can't wait to watch these babies grow up!

 

[aart]

What fun!!

Troubles happening here is anything but fun.

Hope some more make it out OK @crc310

 

[Miss Lydia]

How are things going I had to go to a bridal shower so just now getting back on.

 

[crc310]

I’ve been out and about since last post. Baby in the house (one in pics) is moving a little. The fluid is yellow like the yoke now... not sure if that’s normal. Getting ready to go outside to check on progress on others.

 

[crc310]

Didn’t see any maggots in nest or on 3 day old duckling. Couldn’t check mom, she’s freaking out! There are 4 intact eggs left. I brought the hatching baby in. She has maggots too She’s further along and was peeping (quiet now). Is she far enough along to remove the egg to get the rest of maggots? Or just have to wait still. Some bleeding.

 

[MROO]

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?

Do you have access to an incubator? If you do, or if your reptile heater is warm enough, I would pull them all. By the looks of all those crushed eggs, Mama is either "helping" or attacking them when they start to peep or move. If she's a first-time broody, she may just be confused about whatever is "attacking" her eggs from the inside. Either way, I'd pull them all, give her a dummy-egg or two, and return them after they hatch and dry off.

I have a hen that lays and sets just fine, but as soon as a baby appears, she goes nuts and attacks - even if they're not her own. Needless to say, all of Miss Piggy's eggs now get pulled and set under another hen ... in a separate pen. I guess Piggy's just meant to be the "cranky aunt" of the family!

 

[crc310]

My neighbor has a Brisnea chick heater. The little reptile heater I have is on 4”x4”. I don’t think it would heat all. I want to keep these 2 separate due to the maggots...

 

[MROO]

My neighbor has a Brisnea chick heater. The little reptile heater I have is on 4”x4”. I don’t think it would heat all. I want to keep these 2 separate due to the maggots...

Check out the DIY incubators here on BYC. You'll only need one for a few days, at most, so it doesn't need to be fancy. People have gotten pretty creative with them, so you've probably already got most of what you need already.
Good Luck!

 

[MROO]

Troubles happening here is anything but fun.

Hope some more make it out OK @crc310

But the baby you already have is fun! That one is your "silver lining!"

 

[MissChick@dee]

Still 1 baby. Been 24 hours since I initially found its egg cracked. Hoping the others will be hatching soon!

WHAT!!! That’s the
Most adorable pic EVER!