White Crested Duck Eggs

[marnie]

I have white crested duck eggs. The hatchery told me they would hatch in 28 days, give or take.

1) The first one started hatching at 29 days but cracked the egg at the back of the neck. It subsequently died.
2) The second one broke through the shell at 33 days and progessed for awhile but then seemed to be having trouble. Feeling bad about the first one that we didn't help, we decided to help the second. So we broke some of the shell around the opening, leaving the membrane intact. He hatched completely during the night, and he's (or she's) such a blessing. We named him Peepers.
3) Next, a third one broke through the shell on day 34. We read that we shouldn't help and just let nature take it's course. So it only poked through the shell but did progress at all. We didn't help and it died.
4) There is one that had a piece of shell break off, but not at it's beak. Don't know where but we could only see feathers. It moved a little for awhile but then died (we think - haven't opened the shell yet).
5) There are four more eggs that haven't hatched yet. It's now day 36. Should we give up? I know some ducks take longer, but I thought white crested were the 28 day-ers. Of course, none of ours started hatching at 28 days.

Any ideas? Is it over? Should we wait longer? We sure would love for Peepers to have another duckie friend. He's such a joy, only two days old.

We're wondering if we should open the shells of the rest of them this weekend or wait longer. None of them smell yet but they've got to be just too big for their shells now. We don't know what to do.

We're also wondering what went wrong? If one hatched all right why would ALL of the others not?

 

[duckyfromoz]

Late hatching is usually ( but not restricted to ) caused by too low a temperature during incubation. Unless they were Muscovies ( 35 days) I would say it is too late to expect any more to hatch.

If ever I am unsure about an egg left last in the hatcher- I take a small drill bit and very carefully by twisting it make a very small hole in the airsac. Making sure that it doesnt go in to far. I then use tweesers to remove a little shell and look for movement - breathing or any signs of life before I dispose of eggs.

So sorry things didnt work out better for you. Incubation really can be quiet temperamental and hard to get right. I had a few bad hatches to begin with but an alot more confidant now.

 

[duckyfromoz]

OH - Forgot to add about the issue of them being crested ducks. High mortality can happen with cresteds. If both the parents carry the crested gene of the offspring will inherit a double dose of the gene which is fatal. And even when only one parent has a crest up to 25 % of the offspring still may not hatch.

Here is a link that will explain a bit more-

http://www.domestic-waterfowl.co.uk/crested.htm