Our accidental duck egg is rocking!

[aart]

Luckily, mama stayed sitting through the night and is still determined to hatch the little duckling.

Good News!

The high is only 48 today.

Our high was 34°F yesterday, flakes floating.....and windy!

Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!

 

[Jbently28]

I'm in Louisiana believe it or not. Typical spring weather here. In shorts and flip flops one day and jackets and sweaters the next lol. Friday's high is back in the 80's lol

 

[Jbently28]

Just checked on the egg and still no pip. I still haven't heard any chirping so far. I didn't hear any tapping, but when I spoke to it, it started tapping again. I'm getting concerned as it has been more than 24 hours since internal pip. My heart is telling me to create an emergency air hole for it, but with temps in the 30's at the moment and low humidity levels I'm afraid of causing more harm than good. Should I wait a bit longer since it is still trying to pip, or should I go ahead and intervene? I wish I had an incubator but I don't

 

[WVduckchick]

Just checked on the egg and still no pip. I still haven't heard any chirping so far. I didn't hear any tapping, but when I spoke to it, it started tapping again. I'm getting concerned as it has been more than 24 hours since internal pip. My heart is telling me to create an emergency air hole for it, but with temps in the 30's at the moment and low humidity levels I'm afraid of causing more harm than good. Should I wait a bit longer since it is still trying to pip, or should I go ahead and intervene? I wish I had an incubator but I don't

I am usually quite hands-on, but in this case, with a broody, I think I'd wait.
How big is the air cell? If its in the larger range, a little over 24 hours internally pipped is ok. If its a small air cell, I'd have to think hard about it.

 

[Jbently28]

I am usually quite hands-on, but in this case, with a broody, I think I'd wait.
How big is the air cell? If its in the larger range, a little over 24 hours internally pipped is ok. If its a small air cell, I'd have to think hard about it.

I was say the air cell was of normal-large range. Definitely not on the smaller side. I've decided to wait things out at the moment. My only concern is that I have yet to hear chirping, but the tapping is definitely reassuring at the moment. I'm hoping we're at the point now to where the build up of carbon dioxide kicks in those hatching reflexes. This is my first duck egg, and I'm so used to chicks being fairly quick when it comes to hatching. With my chicks I can just about count the hours to hatching once the internally pip.

 

[WVduckchick]

I was say the air cell was of normal-large range. Definitely not on the smaller side. I've decided to wait things out at the moment. My only concern is that I have yet to hear chirping, but the tapping is definitely reassuring at the moment. I'm hoping we're at the point now to where the build up of carbon dioxide kicks in those hatching reflexes. This is my first duck egg, and I'm so used to chicks being fairly quick when it comes to hatching. With my chicks I can just about count the hours to hatching once the internally pip.

I understand that. Ducks are a bit more finicky. Sometimes they smash out in minutes, sometimes they drive us crazy by taking their own sweet time. Its much more difficult to gage when to "go in" on them. Trust your instincts.

Can't wait to see the little cutie!

 

[Jbently28]

I'm glad I waited. I went back to check in on it again and its tapping its heart out and even heard some chirping this time

 

[Jbently28]

Went back out to check once again and the duckling has FINALLY pipped

 

[WVduckchick]

Went back out to check once again and the duckling has FINALLY pipped

Now it still may be another full day, possibly even 2! But you can rest easier now with a pip!

 

[SueT]

I hope you will take pics of mom and baby after hatching!