Well, we blew it - We are on Day 23 of Duck Incubation and the Air Sack is Day 14

[HeatherKellyB]

Do you have your humidity raised to 65%? I'm so excited for you! Sounds like you learned a lot from the assistance article that was linked. You're doing a wonderful job

 

[DuckMagistra]

Do you have your humidity raised to 65%? I'm so excited for you! Sounds like you learned a lot from the assistance article that was linked. You're doing a wonderful job

Yes, humidity up to 65%. Yes, reading it and rereading it. Fingers crossed!

 

[DuckMagistra]

OK, here is the early bird. He started to externally pip before we went into lockdown and then stopped, so we checked on him and he was shrinkwrapped. We opened him up this far and stopped because of the red flood and seeing the yolk. He is still yawning and moving. Do I just leave him alone? What signs should I follow from now. Today is technically day 26, but we think the eggs had a headstart of 2-3 days because of how we stored them.

 

[DuckMagistra]

OK, here is the early bird. He started to externally pip before we went into lockdown and then stopped, so we checked on him and he was shrinkwrapped. We opened him up this far and stopped because of the red blood vessels and seeing the yolk. He is still yawning and moving. Do I just leave him alone? What signs should I follow from now. Today is technically day 26, but we think the eggs had a headstart of 2-3 days because of how we stored them.

@HeatherKellyB

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Anytime you see blood, it's best to put them back in the incubator and leave them for a couple of hours and then check again. Yawning and chewing means it's still absorbing the yolk. My apologies for the delay in responding

 

[HeatherKellyB]

@DuckMagistra please share some pictures of your new ducklings whenever you have a chance

 

[DuckMagistra]

7 hatched. 1 dead (had not pipped). 8 still working on their zips. 1 who had not actually internally pipped, his bill is moving, but now that we took off the shell over most of the air cell, what are our options. There is still tons of blood vessels all over the membrane. Do we help him pip at this point? His bill is moving.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

7 hatched. 1 dead (had not pipped). 8 still working on their zips. 1 who had not actually internally pipped, his bill is moving, but now that we took off the shell over most of the air cell, what are our options. There is still tons of blood vessels all over the membrane. Do we help him pip at this point? His bill is moving.

This is something I've not ever dealt with. I have always waited for an internal pip before doing anything. Let me tag some friends
@WVduckchick
@BirdsBeesTrees
@shawluvsbirds

 

[HeatherKellyB]

To keep it from drying out, I'd paint the membrane with coconut oil. Do you see a spot near the bill where you can pip for it without breaking any blood vessels? The problem with this is that it might not have been ready. It's really hard to say either way

 

[WVduckchick]

7 hatched. 1 dead (had not pipped). 8 still working on their zips. 1 who had not actually internally pipped, his bill is moving, but now that we took off the shell over most of the air cell, what are our options. There is still tons of blood vessels all over the membrane. Do we help him pip at this point? His bill is moving.

I will say that these normally don’t survive, but don’t give up yet. You should definitely wait for an internal pip before starting any kind of assist, but mistakes happen.

I’d probably make just the tiniest hole thru the membrane as close to the tip of the bill, to allow him to rip it open when he is ready. Keep the membrane moist and hope for the best.

Can you post a pic? We might have better suggestions with a visual.