Only One Egg Left - It hatched!

[katharinad]

You have to be patient, because at this time the duckling is still absorbing the yolk and is still attached to the egg with its umbilical cord. You don't want to mess with that. They need time and it is really like slow motion, which makes it so hard. It is normal to take 24-48 from the time it has pipped. Check every 6 hours to see what is going on. Right now the shell prevents the duckling from getting shrink wrapped inside. It is important that the duckling works its way around in a circle inside of the egg.

 

[MrsDuck]

I'm all for waiting. I think I would rather wait too long and have it end poorly than not wait long enough and have it end poorly. But it's hard.

I just wasn't sure if the crack vs. chipping was OK. It seems like the pictures I've seen have all had a little circle of chips missing. But I should mention I have a very active toddler that prevents me from doing much research, so my knowledge is... well... I was going to say "limited" but really should say nonexistent.

Thank goodness for experts on forums!!!

 

[katharinad]

I had once a hard hatch. Most could not get out by themselves and I had to intervene. For one I was to late and it died in the egg. So sometimes you have to make the decision and help. You want the crack go along in a circle. If the duck just makes one hole and sits there for a long time, then you have to investigate. Most of the time is is shrink wrapped and just cannot turn around. That is when you have to chip away and slowly peel the membrane back. You have to watch out for bleeding, which mean it has not absorbed the yolk yet and needs more time. So for not just monitor every 6 hours and see what is going on. It pipped yesterday, so you still have one more day before you even have to think about doing something. Keep the humidity up.

 

[MrsDuck]

Does the 24 - 48 hours start when it first breaks through to the outside air? That happened Monday night. Here's where we're at now. It's not a great picture, but I didn't want to open up the house.

It's pretty much impossible to see, but there is a hairline crack that runs downward from the far right crack. And all around the far left area it is dark - and if he pushed his bill up close to that I can almost see through - can see a shadow for sure. It's hard to describe.

He's been chirping and rocking the egg around like crazy today.

So... how's it looking?

 

[katharinad]

It's from the time you've noticed the little outgoing dimple. It is good that he is noisy, shows lots of strength and it gets the blood circulation going so the yolk absorbs. It's your call now, and we can only give you suggestions. You can wait until tomorrow and see if he has made any further progress. I would prefer that, because sometimes they need just a little bit longer. If he has not made any further progress tomorrow then it is time to help a little bit. You can also take a look now, but then you have to be prepared to stay up for a few more hours. What you can do is break a little off the shell away and see how it looks like inside. Does it look like the membrane around the duckling is very white. That can indicate that it is shrink wrapped, because the membrane turns more white when it does it. If yes, then you should peel the shell about 1/3 off and take a toothpick and tear the membrane. You must stop when you see blood, because then it has not absorbed the yolk yet completely. It that happens wrap the egg and a wet towel and put him back in for a few more hours (4-6). Come back later and start again. Do not go past the half mark of the egg, and do not try to pull him out. If he does not come out at the half mark then he just needs to sit there until he does.

 

[MrsDuck]

We noticed the little outward dimple Monday morning. It was not there Sunday morning.

I sat and watched him for an hour today while my toddler was napping. My gut is saying it needs help, but I'm so afraid of messing this up.

I flaked off one little piece that didn't look all that attached (a quarter of the size of the piece that already fell off) and the membrane looks yellowish.

Maybe it's relevant... two of the three dead ducklings that I removed from the nest before I intervened had all the shell broken away on one side of the egg and the membrane was dry (white). My mom found the first one and originally thought it was unfertilized and hard-boiled. Maybe this is why they're not making it, and the Mama duck isn't actually just crushing them like I thought...??

Thank you for your help. No matter how this turns out, I really appreciate the advice.

 

[katharinad]

Perhaps you should help a little, because even a thick membrane can be an issue. It can prevent the duck from turning around in the egg and it can get stuck like glue. You just have to be careful when you help the duck. You are not really hurting it, and it prevents the duck from extreme exhaustion, which can take a bad toll on it. Chipping the shell off is no big issue. What is important to also peel the membrane back. I use a toothpick for it and only go a little bit at a time. Just don't pull it out, that it has to do by itself. Once you reach the half mark it will be pretty easy for the duck.

 

[MrsDuck]

so I picked away a little shell, and everything was bone white... I chipped away about 1/8 of the shell and poked into the membrane just a bit. No blood. It was looking pretty good, until I got to the opposite side from where he has been chipping.

For what it's worth, his little bill was in the exact same place it's been for the past 24 hours at least, maybe longer.

I have him wrapped up in a wet towel. He's definitely not as happy.

Insert four letter word here.

 

[katharinad]

I know it can be a little bit messy, but it stops bleeding pretty fast. Wait 4-6 hours and work a little bit more. He will be fine. I've done this several times before. Just one step at a time with plenty of breaks.

 

[MrsDuck]

Well, he looks a lot better already, and is squirming around again trying to get out. It wasn't that messy - just one drop of blood - but of course it was NOT what I wanted to see.

I will wait 6. It's not like there's a shortage of things to do around here to keep me busy.

Is there anything else I can look for that might give me a heads up that he's still not ready?