Should I assist?

[Jbently28]

I have a duck egg under one of my broody hens. I have another post explaining how this came about and why I don't know exactly what day it is. It has been more than 24 hours since it has internally pipped. Yesterday morning there was tons of tapping. I left it alone and went to check on it again this morning. Still no external pip. I couldn't hear anything so I tapped on the egg and heard tapping once again. The temps have dropped dramatically over the past couple of days with lows in the mid 30's and highs in the 40's. I want to make an emergency hole for it in the air cell but I'm afraid of the temps and humidity levels being too low. I would hate to try and help it and do more damage by causing it too shrink wrap. I still haven't heard any chirping, but the duckling still seems to be responding at the moment. I know the build up of carbon dioxide is crucial for the hatching process but I'm worried that it may be running out of air. Should I go ahead and make the hole or wait a bit longer?

 

[BYCforlife]

24 hours is the go-ahead mark for assisted hatching, I think it might be time to help it. I'll tag someone right away.

@EggSighted4Life

 

[Jbently28]

Decided to follow my gut instinct and leave the egg be. I went and checked back in on it about an hour ago and it has pipped! I'm so glad I didn't rush the process.

 

[BYCforlife]

Decided to follow my gut instinct and leave the egg be. I went and checked back in on it about an hour ago and it has pipped! I'm so glad I didn't rush the process.

Great!