When should I put a safety hole in a call duck egg?

[Painted Calls]

Looking good though. You're doing great!

 

[Cheems]

Looking good though. You're doing great!

Thanks! I honestly REALLY appreciate all the help ive gotten from you and shawluvsbirds. I definitely would not have been able to be as successful right now as I would have been and certainly not understood it as well of what I need to do. I still have a lot more to learn and I need more experience but I have learned a lot so far just from this thread.

 

[Cheems]

I am just so excited for these 4 to hatch! I bought an assortment of eggs online, and the 4 colors I have right now are pastel (the one in the picture) white, nutmeg, and penciled. There also was a snowy that developed out of the 8 eggs I bought but unfortunately it didn't make it. I had a %50 hatch rate on shipped eggs IF all of these ducklings make it out of the egg, which I hope. What's everyone's favorite color by the way? I am looking for more in the future even though I have another batch of snowys I bought because so far snowys are my favorite.

 

[Painted Calls]

I am just so excited for these 4 to hatch! I bought an assortment of eggs online, and the 4 colors I have right now are pastel (the one in the picture) white, nutmeg, and penciled. There also was a snowy that developed out of the 8 eggs I bought but unfortunately it didn't make it. I had a %50 hatch rate IF all of these ducklings make it out of the egg, which I hope. What's everyone's favorite color by the way? I am looking for more in the future even though I have another batch of snowys I bought because so far snowys are my favorite.

Gosh I don't know if I could even pick a favorite! I love them all.

 

[Cheems]

@Overo Mare @shawluvsbirds This is the white call duckling, would you say thats ready? At first glance for me it seemed like it had lots of still really active veins, but I don't THINK those are active veins, but I could be totally wrong. Also there are some spots on the egg where theres simply no veins and looks like it COULD be ready. This egg and the pastel seem to be the farthest ahead.

 

[Painted Calls]

@Overo Mare @shawluvsbirds This is the white call duckling, would you say thats ready? At first glance for me it seemed like it had lots of still really active veins, but I don't THINK those are active veins, but I could be totally wrong. Also there are some spots on the egg where theres simply no veins and looks like it COULD be ready. This egg and the pastel seem to be the farthest ahead.

Every place those veins are clear, you can carefully cut and remove/peel back.

Not ready to hatch yet, but definitely close!

 

[Cheems]

Every place those veins are clear, you can carefully cut and remove/peel back.

Not ready to hatch yet, but definitely close!

So, the next steps would be to just start removing some membrane and then once its ready, it will come out on its own? Or will I need to help it out do you think? Also, so those veins aren't active and are safe to cut? is it just leftover blood that wasnt absorbed then? Also once some of the membrane is removed, will I need to keep moisturizing it? I also dont have REALLY small scissors, should I just use small scissors that have been disinfected? Or would it be best to just find another way.

 

[Painted Calls]

So, the next steps would be to just start removing some membrane and then once its ready, it will come out on its own? Or will I need to help it out do you think? Also, so those veins aren't active and are safe to cut? is it just leftover blood that wasnt absorbed then? Also once some of the membrane is removed, will I need to keep moisturizing it? I also dont have REALLY small scissors, should I just use small scissors that have been disinfected? Or would it be best to just find another way.

Yes, once that membrane is removed and not restricting the duckling - he will slowly start pushing and shoving to get out. Sometimes they need a bit more help to get their foot free. In that case I'll gently peel the shell back from the top of the hole you've already made. Of you have to do this, be careful as the membrane will be attached to it here. You're essentially peeling the shell off the membrane just at the top above the head. Only do this if the duckling seems to be struggling too long to get out on their own. They should be able to get out from the hole you've already provided though. Continue to moisten around the inside edge if the hole.

I use a pair of very sharp suture scissors or dissection scissors to cut the membrane away. You just have to have a very steady hand and good eyesight. That way you don't poke the duckling by accident. I have never torn the membrane. That would make me nervous because it's less precise. @shawluvsbirds how do you remove membrane?

 

[Cheems]

Yes, once that membrane is removed and not restricting the duckling - he will slowly start pushing and shoving to get out. Sometimes they need a bit more help to get their foot free. In that case I'll gently peel the shell back from the top of the hole you've already made. Of you have to do this, be careful as the membrane will be attached to it here. You're essentially peeling the shell off the membrane just at the top above the head. Only do this if the duckling seems to be struggling too long to get out on their own. They should be able to get out from the hole you've already provided though. Continue to moisten around the inside edge if the hole.

I use a pair of very sharp suture scissors or dissection scissors to cut the membrane away. You just have to have a very steady hand and good eyesight. That way you don't poke the duckling by accident. I have never torn the membrane. That would make me nervous because it's less precise. @shawluvsbirds how do you remove membrane?

I don't think I have ANY scissors that could be like that, I really wish I did, do you think its a good idea to run to the store and get some? I could but it would be quite the hassle to do that especially rn, but if its necessary then I can.

 

[Painted Calls]

I don't think I have ANY scissors that could be like that, I really wish I did, do you think its a good idea to run to the store and get some? I could but it would be quite the hassle to do that especially rn, but if its necessary then I can.

Just hold off until Shaw replies. I believe she may tear her membranes. I'm not sure.