PLEASE HELP! assisting in hatching call duck eggs.

[Conan]

ok thanks, what should i use to chip away the shell?

Start with whatever you used to puncture the air cell, and carefully begin removing little bits. It should be clear right away if your egg is still alive.
Here is a recent hatch of mine. I had just removed the entire air cell about 24 hours after putting the safety hole in. You can see the duckling has pipped, and at this point, was still chewing away. The veins in the membrane are still a bit red. I made sure the membrane was moist, then this little guy went back in the bator.

 

[HannahDolding]

Start with whatever you used to puncture the air cell, and carefully begin removing little bits. It should be clear right away if your egg is still alive.
Here is a recent hatch of mine. I had just removed the entire air cell about 24 hours after putting the safety hole in. You can see the duckling has pipped, and at this point, was still chewing away. The veins in the membrane are still a bit red. I made sure the membrane was moist, then this little guy went back in the bator.View attachment 2122221

ok, i see, what did u use to keep the membrane moist?i heard coconut oil works, so i bought some but its very thick - like butter

 

[Conan]

ok, i see, what did u use to keep the membrane moist?i heard coconut oil works, so i bought some but its very thick - like butter

I use water and coconut oil, just warm the oil between your fingers to melt it so you can gently rub it on the membrane.

 

[HannahDolding]

I use water and coconut oil, just warm the oil between your fingers to melt it so you can gently rub it on the membrane.

oh ok,im going to do it, ill take a photo afterwards
im really nervous

 

[Conan]

oh ok,im going to do it, ill take a photo afterwards
im really nervous

Be brave!

 

[HannahDolding]

Be brave!

Its not moving at all, and it's very dry, should I peel back the sac thing?

 

[Conan]

Its not moving at all, and it's very dry, should I peel back the sac thing? View attachment 2122264

Moisten the membrane first, just to be safe, but if it's not moving or making noise, it's probably gone. Was the membrane open like that when you opened the egg?

 

[HannahDolding]

Moisten the membrane first, just to be safe, but if it's not moving or making noise, it's probably gone. Was the membrane open like that when you opened the egg?

I moistened it, its still not moving, I think it might've been opened a bit there previously but I cant be sure because that's where I made my safety hole

Should I open it up more, just to make sure it's dead?

 

[Conan]

Looks like he pipped, but ran out of air. I'd open it up, just to have a look.

 

[HannahDolding]

Looks like he pipped, but ran out of air. I'd open it up, just to have a look.

i opened most of it up, he had absorbed most the veins but not the yolk - how much sooner do you think i should intervene (for next time)?
also - thanks so much for your help