Should I assist the hatch?

[FathertoFeathers]

One of my ducklings has poked a hole in the egg but hasn’t done anything else in over 48 hours. He poked a hole big enough for his beak and he just takes a breath and then goes back in the egg. I can tell he’s alive because I can see him wiggle he’s just not trying to break through the shell anymore. Should I help him out?

 

[Lovem all]

Such a hard question I know. Maybe peel the littlest bit of the shell of torwards the top of it's head so it can push through better/ Don't take off the linning membrane, let her do that. And don't take too much shell away either. If there is blood stop asap. Also use q tips to keep the membrane wet and tweasers to take the shell off

 

[FathertoFeathers]

Alright I did what you said shortly after you posted this and still no progress. I know the ducklings alive because I see him stick his beak out of the hole and breath but that’s all he does. He doesn’t make any effort to get out of the egg. Sorry if this is kinda dumb but this is my first time hatching duck eggs and second time hatching anything at all so I’m really new at this. Maybe he’s just lazy?

 

[Lovem all]

He might just be really tired. Have you played him baby duck noises on a loop? That is the only reason my guinea started hatching. The noises of others is very encouraging. if you have to assist just be very careful and only bit by bit.

 

[FathertoFeathers]

He might just be really tired. Have you played him baby duck noises on a loop? That is the only reason my guinea started hatching. The noises of others is very encouraging. if you have to assist just be very careful and only bit by bit.

Thanks so much! The duckling noises are really helping. He’s started to peck at the shell.

 

[Lovem all]

No problem. I wish you luck and I'll be here if you need anything else

 

[FathertoFeathers]

So there’s a problem... I guess the little fella got too motivated because he hatched but he hasn’t absorbed his yolk all the way. He is still alive thankfully but I don’t know what to do. Here’s a picture if that helps at all.

 

[Lovem all]

Oh my gosh. I never had this happen to me but I saw on another post to put them in a coffee mug or cup with paper towels in it and keep them that way in the incubator until it absorbs the yolk the rest of the way

 

[Lovem all]

@FortCluck can you help?

 

[Lovem all]

Baby hatched but looks like alittle yolk still there help!!!!
is a thread where they had a similar issue