To assist or not to assist?

[WVduckchick]

 

[Pyxis]

"In a typical hatch, it is common to lose about 1%–2% of the chicks due to deformities and malpositions. Deformities manifest during the process of embryo development, while malpositions occur in the last week of incubation before hatch.

The results of this study demonstrate that malposition #6, which is beak above the right wing, constitutes almost 50% of the malpositions, followed by position #5, feet over head with a frequency of 20%.

There are numerous reasons that malpositions occur."

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vm095

 

[SilksterTN]

Hello...Ducks do not have many problems hatching if the incubator was set properly. Getting too excited can cause issues..I hatch eggs a lot and never have to assist that often...Malpositioned Ducklings are ones that were not totally ready to hatch. The rocking of the egg is them getting into position to pip and then zip..
Best of luck....

Maybe in some types of ducks who have longer necks and bills but this is definitely not the case with good, typey calls. A good, typey call with a short bill and neck often cannot pip externally even when they are in the right position.
Malpos are not something that resolves at the end of the hatch by the chick/duckling rocking around and repositioning. They literally cannot pip because they can't move their heads to penetrate the shell.

 

[Featheredfluffs]

Ok, I have at least two with the feet over head malposition. The rest I can’t tell. Both made internal pips but needed helping onwards from there. One is almost ready to come out, but still has a few more blood vessels to absorb. I am going to wait 3-5 hours and then check again to see if he’s ready for a full hatch. It’s been 37 hours since I first noticed an internal pip.


Also, they aren’t call eggs, but Ancona/runner mix ones

 

[chickens really]

View attachment 1432974 Ok, I have at least two with the feet over head malposition. The rest I can’t tell. Both made internal pips but needed helping onwards from there. One is almost ready to come out, but still has a few more blood vessels to absorb. I am going to wait 3-5 hours and then check again to see if he’s ready for a full hatch. It’s been 37 hours since I first noticed an internal pip.


Also, they aren’t call eggs, but Ancona/runner mix ones

37 hours is normal in many cases from pip to Zip...

 

[SilksterTN]

My point being that even with ideal conditions, some ducks cannot externally pip. So it's not always due to incubator temp, humidity.
Malpos are VERY frustrating no matter the breed and some don't end well no matter what you do.

 

[Pyxis]

View attachment 1432974 Ok, I have at least two with the feet over head malposition. The rest I can’t tell. Both made internal pips but needed helping onwards from there. One is almost ready to come out, but still has a few more blood vessels to absorb. I am going to wait 3-5 hours and then check again to see if he’s ready for a full hatch. It’s been 37 hours since I first noticed an internal pip.


Also, they aren’t call eggs, but Ancona/runner mix ones

Coming along well! I would suggest not removing any membrane from over the duckling until it's time to get them out of the egg - that keeps them from pushing out too soon.

 

[Chloe+chickens=LOVE]

Looks great so far

 

[Featheredfluffs]

Well... The one whose membrane I removed started to come out before he was ready (still lots of yolk), and I now have the little guy sitting in his egg in a cup with paper towels around him to help him finish up absorbing that yolk. He seems quite comfy for now, but its been three hours and it doesn't look like the yolk has been absorbed much. What should I be careful of?

Everyone else is doing great, and one of the eggs actually did an external pip on its own! The rest are either not ready or have had to be helped

 

[Chloe+chickens=LOVE]

Make sure the duckling does NOT GET DIRTY.