Sitting duck

[Isaac 0]

Hi guys just an update . I candled my eggs today and all but one still seems to be alive .the noticable difference this time when handling is that I can see the chicks have broken into the air sack in the eggs and I can see the beaks pecking at the inside of the egg. My dates to hatch would be correct with the progress but I'm just wondering when I should expect them to pip now that they have broken into the air sack . Should I expect any more progress tomorrow or should I candle agian if there is no change??

How long it takes for them to externally pip after the internal pip depends on a few factors, but for me, I tend to put a safety hole in each of my eggs about 12/16 hours after the internal pip, this is simply to ensure the ducklings don't run out of air. I do this about every time with my Calls, but I still do it with other ducks breeds just be on the safe side. After 12/16 hour-ish after the internal pip and there has been no external, the duckling isn't pecking the shell, I'll grab a sharp sterilized brad point drill bit, position over on the air cell end of the egg, and gently position the bit on the shell and start twisting back and forth until a very small hole is made, once the tip of the screw punctures there is no need to continue to widen the hole. You may practice this on a undeveloped eggs first.

Best of luck!

 

[Chris492]

How long it takes for them to externally pip after the internal pip depends on a few factors, but for me, I tend to put a safety hole in each of my eggs about 12/16 hours after the internal pip, this is simply to ensure the ducklings don't run out of air. I do this about every time with my Calls, but I still do it with other ducks breeds just be on the safe side. After 12/16 hour-ish after the internal pip and there has been no external, the duckling isn't pecking the shell, I'll grab a sharp sterilized brad point drill bit, position over on the air cell end of the egg, and gently position the bit on the shell and start twisting back and forth until a very small hole is made, once the tip of the screw punctures there is no need to continue to widen the hole. You may practice this on a undeveloped eggs first.

Best of luck!

Thankyou .I'm not exactly sure when they internally pipped as I havent been handling them every day. I only noticed this evening when I decided to candle to c how things were going but I suppose If I leave it 12 hours from now that will b more than enough time . If any have pipped by then I'll candle again and maybe try the drill bit for anyone struggling. Thanks for the great information and help

 

[HalfWayUpAMountain]

Brilliant. Thanks again . My first time at this so any and all information is greatly appreciated. Thanks

Good luck - its an amazing time, every time

 

[Chris492]

Good luck - its an amazing time, every time

So got up this morning and 5 of 6 has pipped by themselves . When I noticed she had started sitting on her eggs at the start I put another under her so this one could need another day . It hasn't pipped into the air sack yet so I'll leave it alone for now . Other than that all is going well . Thankyou everyone for ur help and advice

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

Can't wait to see pics of th babies

 

[Chris492]

So got up this morning and 5 of 6 has pipped by themselves . When I noticed she had started sitting on her eggs at the start I put another under her so this one could need another day . It hasn't pipped into the air sack yet so I'll leave it alone for now . Other than that all is going well . Thankyou everyone for ur help and advice

Hello again guys . 5 of my 6 duck eggs r hatched and doing well. The last is a few days behind as I put it under her later when I noticed she was brooding,but now I'm worried she will not take the other chicks out to feed and drink while it is unhatched.thats one worry. The other is that the nest is in the chicken coop with open door to outside which sometimes crows come in to steal meal and when she does eventually leave the nest I'm worried will the crows ,chickens ,other ducks or goose attack the chicks. I have a separate enclosure where she could have isolation with the chicks until they r bigger but im not sure if I should move her especially with the late chick still not hatched . Not sure what to do as the late chick hatching is my man made mistake. Could I move mum to the separate enclosure, finish the last egg out in the incubator then reunite with mum when hatched. That way the other chicks can get food and water now ?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'd defiantly move her and her ducklings to a safe enclosure crows and the other flock members can injure and even kill tiny ducklings. Finish the egg off in the bator so it has a better chance of hatching.

 

[DuckWhisperer06]

I'd defiantly move her and her ducklings to a safe enclosure crows and the other flock members can injure and even kill tiny ducklings. Finish the egg off in the bator so it has a better chance of hatching.

x2

Can you post some pictures of the ducklings with mama?

 

[Chris492]

x2

Can you post some pictures of the ducklings with mama?

Thanks guys .have her moved and chicks dipped for a drink and last one in incubator. Hopefully she will accept him when I put him back with her

 

[Miss Lydia]

They are adorable! Congrats!!