When should I intervene?

[peawinkle]

Today is day 28 and 3 out of 4 of my duck eggs hatched earlier today. I have one egg who pipped later than everyone else (about 6-8 hours later) and is still moving in his shell but no more cracks. My concern is that the 3rd one had a hard time getting out of his shell -looked like the membrane was dryer than when I watched the first 2 hatch earlier in the day.

The temp is 99.5 and humidity currently at 75%rh. The incubator was open a few times today - when I moved it to the classroom and again when I removed the hatched ducks and brought it back home so I'm concerned about the last eggs membrane drying out.

Advice?

 

[Amiga]

You have a legitimate concern - but I don't know much about hatching.

Lacrystol is a hatcher, and has some info at the link below. You may be able to PM her.

See if this helps http://www.lwbarnhouse.com/method1.html

I apologize to all the dozens of really good hatchers here. There are so many of you!

Aoxa, 70%cocoa, Marty1876, so many others.

 

[sumi]

How long has it been since it pipped through the shell? I once had a malpositioned duckling take 4 days to complete the hatch from external pip to completing the hatch. Sometimes you get a slow coach Most of my ducklings progressed after about 24 hours though.

Your humidity is good, but if you're worried it may have dried out a bit you can dab the membrane (what you can see of it) with a wet Q-tip.

 

[casportpony]

I can't offer much advice except that you should read this and go by what your gut is telling you.

• https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/step-by-step-guide-to-assisted-hatching

You should also read this:

• https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/mushy-chick-disease-yolk-sack-infection-omphalitis

-Kathy

 

[Lacrystol]

Today is day 28 and 3 out of 4 of my duck eggs hatched earlier today. I have one egg who pipped later than everyone else (about 6-8 hours later) and is still moving in his shell but no more cracks. My concern is that the 3rd one had a hard time getting out of his shell -looked like the membrane was dryer than when I watched the first 2 hatch earlier in the day.

The temp is 99.5 and humidity currently at 75%rh. The incubator was open a few times today - when I moved it to the classroom and again when I removed the hatched ducks and brought it back home so I'm concerned about the last eggs membrane drying out.

Advice?

Opening the bator probably caused him to shrink wrap, Yek, You need to make him a safe hole. Is this Still or Fan?

 

[peawinkle]

Thank you to all who responded.

After 16 more hours of absolutely no change I intervened a bit. I took some of the shell off where he had externally pipped and the membrane was definitely dry. I kept the exposed membrane wet and watched him closely. I had to peal more of the shell away because he just couldn't break through on his own. He finally finished the job himself. He is a fighter!!!

If I can figure out how to post a picture I will !!!

 

[casportpony]

-Kathy

 

[peawinkle]

 

[Lacrystol]

Awwww look at that sweet face.