Will they hatch early? Update*I helped

[Horsefly]

My neighbor has some duck eggs in the incubator right now due to hatch May 3 (day 28). Today I helped her candle them and they have all pipped into the aircell and some are peeping and moving around! She isn't suposed to stop turning them till Sunday but I told her she could stop turning them today or tomorrow. Was that right? I know you stop turning so they can get into position for hatching but if they already are in the air cell? Thanks for the help. Her temps have been fluctuating a bit day and night but she said she thought they would be more consistantly low than high.

 

[The Duck ABC's]

Stop turning, because they no longer need it at all. Chirping means they are out in 24-48 hours. Her machine must have been warmer then she thinks and that is why they are ahead of schedule. It is best to reduce the temperature to 97-98 degrees for hatching. They are generating a lot of heat inside of the egg as they are trying to get out. Keep the humidity at 80-85% so they don't shrink wrap.

 

[duckyfromoz]

If they have pipped into the aircell your neighbour has to stop turning them now- Go into lockdown early as yes- they sound likely to hatch early. It can still take 48 hours or more for them to hatch from this point thought.

 

[Horsefly]

Okay thanks, just wanted to make sure I was giving her correct information. Is it likely the ducklings will be deformed or have other problems as a result of developing faster?

 

[Horsefly]

I guess I will know soon! 2 eggs have pipped and some others are moving this morning.

 

[duckyfromoz]

YAY!! for the progress. 28 days is an average- take 1, 000 eggs and incubate and you will get a heap that are early...or late - but when we set smaller numbers it is much more noticeable when things dont happen to schedule. I just had setting of 6 eggs that took 5 days from first to last - the first were early and the last little one hatched this morning at 30 days, I havent had one take that long before but it is not so unusual. If the temp is too high you can get deformities- but dont worry about it at this stage. There are so many things that can go wrong- just concentrate on what these guys need to hatch right now- most likely they will all be fine.

 

[Horsefly]

I dont think this hatch is going normally

. I just checked on them and two of the eggs have about a Nickle sized hole in them and one is pipped normally. The two with the holes have bills coming out the holes and are peeping and breathing. I think one for sure is shrink wrapped and because of the large hole in the other I don't think it can turn in the egg. My neighbor opened the incubator this morning to add water while one was pipped so I think that's what messed up the humidity. Will the eggs be okay if I let them alone till tonight? I figure they are already early so it shouldn't be to bad to give them a chance to hatch normally. I am pretty positive the one is shrink wrapped because I can see the membrane through the hole and it looks separated from the egg and kind of reddish papery.

 

[Horsefly]

Anyone? I've decided to let them wait till morning.

 

[The Duck ABC's]

They are stuck. The big hole with the bill sticking out is a big sign say help me. One thing you must realize is that you cannot stop once you start to help. It's not that bad to do, and the refill of water may or may not have caused it. Don't sweat it, but start helping them. The goal is to get the shell and membrane all the way back to the half mark of the egg. Do not ever try to pull the baby out! Ok work yourself down to the quarter line by breaking away shell and peeling the membrane. Stop if you see blood and put the baby back into the incubator and wait 4 hours. No blood continue to the 1/3 mark, and again stop if you see blood. Next the half mark. Well you've got the point. Once at the half mark put it back into the incubator and leave it alone until it comes out by itself. I may need some time doing it and it is normal. There is no worry of shrink wrapping once you are at the half mark. Good luck.

 

[Horsefly]

It's to late to go over and help now, they will be fine till the morning though right? And I peal away the membrane and shell? Thanks!