Thread formerly known as Hatch day is today

[Learningstill]

So far, both babies are gradually coming away from the shell. Still not as much movement as the first two, but progress is progress. Their yolks are shrinking very slowly. I will check on them throughout the night and continue to moist the yolk. I picked up the save-a-chick for when they are ready to drink. Do you know if I give it to them warm or cool?

Also, I was wondering if you might know why the first two, while absorbing their yolks, were acting as if they were chewing/drinking and swallowing. These two do it a lot less. I am wondering if this might be why they are taking longer to absorb. The amount needed to be absorb appeared to be around the same for the four, at least not a significant difference. Probably an odd question, just wondering if this is typical and if anyone might know why they do this. Thanks again
I will update as they progress.

 

[hokankai]

EEEK! I just candled my day 23 Welsh Harlie eggs and saw movement in the aircells! I can't tell if it's just because the aircells are big, or if they are pipped internally...but how often do they hatch early? Temp has been pretty constant 99.5-99.9. I upped the humidity this morning to 45% after running it dry to get the aircells big enough and now the aircells are pretty big but not too big.

Are these babies going to make an early appearance? Should I lockdown just in case? AHHH

 

[hokankai]

It's confirmed, they are internally pipped! I saw a little bill open and close and there's a lot of movement in there!



You can't tell as well on this one, but there was a ton of movement just no obvious bill yet

 

[Goin Quackrrs]

My shipped eggs are halfway through their incubation and I'm still at 13/18! Kudos to K&S Waterfowl for such great packing!

Awesome! I've had horrible luck with shipped eggs this year, so glad you're doing better than I am!

I had read one time that you cannot let the yolk or membrane? dry out, so I have been keeping them wet. I did it with the other two, but they were stronger and they went through the process a bit faster. It worked like a charm for them; I just wanted to check a see if anyone would know if I can do harm wetting them, for instance too much water. I have been winging this from the beginning and I do not want to fail these babies, or my daughter.

I wish I had advice for you. I'm amazed at your ingenuity in setting up a makeshift incubator. No matter what happens, you did the best you could under the circumstances.

I've assisted a few hatches in my time and the trick to dealing with the yolk that's not absorbed is to make sure the duckling can't pull free too early. A lot of people will put a damp paper towel over what's left of the egg shell to help keep moisture in. That way, you're not directly misting the yolk, but keeping the towel wet.

Best of luck to you and your little duckies!

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I figured out how to get a better picture without disturbing the babies. I zoomed in on survivor. You can see her yolk better.
I also included the other two babies whom finished yesterday evening. They are taking their nap. Their names are Akia which mean first born in African and the others name is Basil, no meaning behind the name

What sweet babies!

It's confirmed, they are internally pipped! I saw a little bill open and close and there's a lot of movement in there!



You can't tell as well on this one, but there was a ton of movement just no obvious bill yet

I see a baby in there! So exciting!

 

[Pyxis]

[/IMG]

I figured out how to get a better picture without disturbing the babies. I zoomed in on survivor. You can see her yolk better.
I also included the other two babies whom finished yesterday evening. They are taking their nap. Their names are Akia which mean first born in African and the others name is Basil, no meaning behind the name

Now that I'm finally home, I can show you this:

That's Cupcake, a welsh harlequin duckling that jumped the gun and tried to hatch before her yolk was absorbed at all. What I did was cut the corner off a Ziploc bag, push her back into her shell, wrapped a wet paper towel around the shell to provide moisture, and put the whole thing in the bag. I pulled her head through the corner of the bag, and voila! Everything stays moist, she can't pull away from the yolk too early, and the next day, she was good to go.

 

[Amykins]

I'm starting to get nervous. My egg is looking pretty full, only a few more days to go! BUT, the egg has a detached air cell. I am having a total panic attack at the prospect this egg has. What should I be prepared for?

Now that I'm finally home, I can show you this:



That's Cupcake, a welsh harlequin duckling that jumped the gun and tried to hatch before her yolk was absorbed at all. What I did was cut the corner off a Ziploc bag, push her back into her shell, wrapped a wet paper towel around the shell to provide moisture, and put the whole thing in the bag. I pulled her head through the corner of the bag, and voila! Everything stays moist, she can't pull away from the yolk too early, and the next day, she was good to go.

That's....wow. That's totally brilliant! Thank you for the amazing idea! I have a feeling I'm going to have to implement that in a few days. :/

 

[qwackers]

So far, both babies are gradually coming away from the shell. Still not as much movement as the first two, but progress is progress. Their yolks are shrinking very slowly. I will check on them throughout the night and continue to moist the yolk. I picked up the save-a-chick for when they are ready to drink. Do you know if I give it to them warm or cool? Also, I was wondering if you might know why the first two, while absorbing their yolks, were acting as if they were chewing/drinking and swallowing. These two do it a lot less. I am wondering if this might be why they are taking longer to absorb. The amount needed to be absorb appeared to be around the same for the four, at least not a significant difference. Probably an odd question, just wondering if this is typical and if anyone might know why they do this. Thanks again I will update as they progress.

I'm not sure about the temp of the stuff, my instinct says tepid so it doesn't shock their systems. I do t think I noticed my duckies 'eating' while they were absorbing, how interesting.

It's confirmed, they are internally pipped! I saw a little bill open and close and there's a lot of movement in there! You can't tell as well on this one, but there was a ton of movement just no obvious bill yet

yay, that's so cool!

Now that I'm finally home, I can show you this:

That's Cupcake, a welsh harlequin duckling that jumped the gun and tried to hatch before her yolk was absorbed at all. What I did was cut the corner off a Ziploc bag, push her back into her shell, wrapped a wet paper towel around the shell to provide moisture, and put the whole thing in the bag. I pulled her head through the corner of the bag, and voila! Everything stays moist, she can't pull away from the yolk too early, and the next day, she was good to go.

That is such a genius idea! Nice one!

 

[Pyxis]

That's....wow. That's totally brilliant! Thank you for the amazing idea! I have a feeling I'm going to have to implement that in a few days. :/

That is such a genius idea! Nice one!

Thanks guys!

Amykins, I would set the air cell end up if you can for lockdown, to keep the air cell where it should be so the duckling can pip into it.

Also, in other news, I've gotten three eggs in two days now, so another ducky has started up. Woot! Quackrrs, I'll have eggs for you before you know it. Funnily enough, every egg that they've laid so far this year has gone off to be hatched, lol.

 

[Learningstill]

I wanted to give a quick UPDATE.

The two ducklings have a bump in their abdomen and a little extra to absorb. The weaker of the two has detached from the shell completely. The other is attached by two dead looking membrane strings. The weaker duckling I think may have some sort of leg problem. The little thing was crammed into a tiny area since there were air sacs on both top and bottom. I think the little space may have not let the joint of its right leg form properly. The leg is almost always lagging behind when it pushes itself around and when laying. I am periodically placing that leg forward, but not too much. I do not want to stress it out. The other duckling seems stronger and both feet seem okay. They both still seem weaker than the first two, but I am thankful they have made it this far. I will update again when they are up and moving, as well as keeping their eyes open. The stronger opens eyes sometimes, but the other does not really. I wonder if its eyes are okay?

Does anyone know, if there is a day age when you are, for the most part, are out of the woods? Thanks again everyone!

 

[Amykins]

As far as I know the only time you're out of the woods is when your 'lings are fully grown. ><;;