Thread formerly known as Hatch day is today

[sbost]

Wow Iain those babies are unbelievable. And very lucky!!!!

I need some quick input if someone has a minute... my next two eggs pipped externally this AM and broke through around 10am. These are the same ones that have the yellow discoloration and some darkening in the air sack area possibly from the other hatch's liquids. The chirping and movement has slowed down this afternoon, and they are due on 3/28. But this is my first time hatching... I really don't want to intervene, just looking for some reassurance this looks normal. My humidity has been in the high 80s and I only added a little water this am and have not changed the towels since the hatch two days ago. There is condensation on some of the window glass. I am a little worried my humidity is too high? Thanks! (the yellow dot is highlighter)

 

[Marty1876]

I think they look on track to me. Pipping is a good thing. Give them a little rest time, ducks take longer than chicks and quail. Maybe keep your eyes and ears open, and give us an update in about four hours.

 

[sbost]

I think they look on track to me. Pipping is a good thing. Give them a little rest time, ducks take longer than chicks and quail. Maybe keep your eyes and ears open, and give us an update in about four hours.

Thank you, thank you!!!! I have tried to prepare my kids for the worst since this is our first time hatching and they were getting discouraged over these guys. I have not candled them today since they were pipping, only made sure there was water in the trays.

As well there is two other eggs in with them that are due tomorrow too. To help keep things clean as possible, do you think I should move the two other eggs to a different cloth away from the two pipping/hatching ones so I can discard the hatching cloth hopefully quickly and not get the hatching liquids on these unpipped eggs?

 

[DUCKGIRL89]

1 External PIP!!!! YEAH!!!!! WhooHoo!!! Its a boy though

 

[ChristineR]

What is the Bessemer Project and what do the acronyms stand for? I used to have a duck that looked exactly like that female. Very pretty.

One of you asked for photo updates of the Bessemer Project... here ya go

Spring 2012 A....

JBO drake X HQ BO duck (possible Runner blood)

 

[Lovely Emily]

HQ = Hatchery (very poor) Quality
BO = Buff (or Blonde, in Oz) Orpington
JBO = Jumbo BO

The Bessemer project is an upcoming project starting this spring. Only a couple of breeders have shown interest, but the goal is to breed a dual-purpose Buff duck with a White Bib. As soon as that is accomplished, there can be bred another first-ever - White Bibbed Grey. Buff is the basal color of this project and will be included in the breed's roster. The breeds being used are Rouens, BOs, and Runners.

Emily

 

[Lovely Emily]

Oh, and thank you! The duck is so soft! She lays a big pearly white egg everyother day... (before eating it.... I gotta get out there early in the morning to collect the egg...)

 

[DUCKGIRL89]

Geez!! My duckling is already out!!! And hes soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo cute!!!

Anyone want pics?

 

[ChristineR]

I have a question about my last little duckling to hatch. I pretty much did the whole thing for him. This was one of the oldest eggs I had (but it was a nice blue one!).

Anyway, this was an egg that's air cell was all funky. Then he was in the shell turned the wrong way so I made a breathing hole for him and left him alone for a day, during which time he made zero progress so I ended up hatching him. His yolk wasn't fully absorbed (almost), his head was kinda squished to one side, his eyes were closed, and one leg wasn't working. His bill was also a little off kilter, like the upper and lower halves weren't matching up right. I wasn't sure if he was going to make it. He stayed in the incubator for about 2 days after "hatching", but as of last night he's made huge improvements. I got two more ducklings that someone else hatched for me and put him in a box with them for a bit. I also filled the tub up with warm water and let them go for a swim. They are all in with the 2 day older ducklings now and running around like crazy. The main thing I'm worried about now is his bill. He seems to be able to eat OK, but does anyone know if it will straighten out as he gets older?

 

[jerryford]

you have to post pics

Geez!! My duckling is already out!!! And hes soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo cute!!!

Anyone want pics?