Poor fertility in Runners?

[Miss Lydia]

That's what water fowl do to us teach us patience!

and when we let them work out of the egg themselves they will be much stronger for it.

 

[WVduckchick]

Is it out??

Generally once they start a full zip, they should be completely out with an hour, 90 minutes tops. Weird zips make me nervous...

 

[MrsHudson221B]

Not out yet.... seems to have stopped working. I’ll go candle and see what’s up.

At what point do I intervene? No doubt there is some awkward positioning going on here. Usually, when I help chickens in the state, I’ll just break shell enough for them to push out on their own. Ack!

 

[MrsHudson221B]

So, I didn’t like what I saw... duck midwifery took place. So glad I did. Super-bad positioning— it’s head was in middle of egg and it was only kicking shell. It wouldn’t have made it out. Only had tiny belly button, all yolk absorbed.

My internet connection is super slow.... trying to upload pic...

 

[Miss Lydia]

Wow great you were on top of that.

Can't wait to see the little one

 

[MrsHudson221B]

 

[Miss Lydia]

Aww bless Looks like quite a bit of blood.

 

[MrsHudson221B]

Now I’m gonna be watching the second one like a HAWK! Hate to raise a singleton... so much work!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

yes keep close eye on it. How far has it gotten today?

 

[MrsHudson221B]

There was more blood than I expected, and quite a bit of “snot” in the air cell end. The nose seems clear, so I didn’t wash it’s face. It’s a spunky one! Lots of peeping and wiggling.