Thread formerly known as Hatch day is today

[Iain Utah]

I use sponges too, they really do a great job of keeping up humidity. So long as the little one is still peeping, makes even the tiniest progress every 12 hours or so, I'd let her stay after it alone. I'm with you, I totally prefer hands off hatching. If she doesn't change before bed, you can VERY SLOWLY chip away her shell in a pattern similar to what the others have done. If you see the tinest bit of blood, stop and leave it for a few hours. But, if she's managing, I would absolutely let her.

Congrats on a good hatch!

X2! And fyi, soak sponges with hot water for a quicker humidity boost.

 

[bhhastin]

Thanks, that's a good idea for the watering. The first one will probably want some food and water this evening I'm guessing, since she hatched last night. I put a jar lid with a little water in it in the brooder for now, in case they get thirsty early. I was going to get some non-medicated chick starter today at the feed store, but I boiled an egg I was going to cut up and see if they take that first or the feed.

I can see the wrong-end pipper's bill now through the hole in her membrane. She's peeping like crazy, I'll bet she's ready to get out of there. She pipped over 36 hours ago, she's taking her sweet time.

 

[Marty1876]

Its tough to be a wrong end hatch, but they work it out pretty often. As long as she's still full of energy and making progress, she'll probobly make it. The hardest part is the pip usually. They do take their time, often 2 days.

 

[ChristineR]

Congrats on the new ducklings, BH!

 

[Marty1876]

Just finished NPIP/AI testing 60 birds. One roo jammed a thumb really bad too.

it hurts a lot, & im using a heat pad, since I need it for milking.

If you ever test, wear red......

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Just finished NPIP/AI testing 60 birds. One roo jammed a thumb really bad too.

it hurts a lot, & im using a heat pad, since I need it for milking.

If you ever test, wear red......

LoL Marty at wearing red. YaY on getting everyone done. Nice to have it official and out of the way huh?

Waiting for import paperwork here so we can ship an order out, holidays sure put a hold on paper work getting done

 

[bhhastin]

Thanks, Christine! Up to four hatched (first pic below), two starting to zip, and the wrong-side pipper has a nice big hole made! (second pic) This has been a very interesting experience in all, but I have to say I don't think I will be doing it again, I've been a nervous wreck, having a hard time sleeping, very little appetite. Can't imagine how people do this with kids, let alone ducks!

 

[Marty1876]

You'll miss the experience once you survive it! It gets easier.

 

[bhhastin]

The other wrong-end pipper finally hatched! (first pic) I came in to find her thrashing around the incubator with the shell on her head. After she got it off she was all over the place, so I put her in the brooder, but the other ducklings were climbing all over her and standing on her head and neck, so I put her in a bowl with a wash cloth in the brooder. She was so active right after hatching, I think she might have worn herself out! Two more to go, starting to zip, hopefully we'll have a 100% hatch rate. That's awesome considering these eggs were shipped to me by the postal service. Got them from Metzer Farms in California, shipped to Phoenix area in Arizona, so didn't have too far to go.

 

[Marty1876]

I love baby ducks!

My remaining Ancona hen is laying again, so Im putting her and my best boy togather to start sitting eggs in 3 weeks.