Assist Hatching call duck eggs. Am I doing OK?

[AmaysChicks]

Day 27 call duck eggs. Had 5 eggs going into lockdown. Day 24 I saw 2 internal pips. Day 25 I put safety holes in the two I saw plus one more that I saw internal pip. Day 26 two made very tiny external pips. I did not do anything, concerned about lack of movement in the 3rd egg with internal pip but it had safety hole so I let it be. Day 27 investigated the non moving one and it had passed after internal pip but no external. Decided since it had passed I should start helping. Starting with the other day 24 internal pip I opened it up. It's membrane was almost completely free of vessels (the last picture). Then I opened the other one that I put a safety hole in. Not as far along with the vessels and it did bleed a tiny bit. Next I decided to at least put safety holes in the two that I hadn't put holes in yet because I wasn't 100% on internal piping. On both of them as soon as I made the hole they were peeping so I decided to make both of their holes a little bigger so I could see what was happening. I put Vaseline on every ones membranes as best I could. I put a washcloth in the middle of the incubator to try help with humidity, it is not touching the eggs. My plan is to leave everyone alone till tomorrow morning. Thoughts?

 

[Miss Lydia]

@WVduckchick
@shawluvsbirds

 

[KathiQuacks]

I haven’t hatched calls, but have hatched other, larger duckling breeds and assisted in this way. This all sounds and looks good to me. I believe you’re doing a great job. They definitely still need some time to absorb. I, personally, might check on them during the night just in case, but you may also be fine leaving them until morning. I wish you and them good luck

 

[AmaysChicks]

Just noticed I put the same pic twice. Here was the one furthest along.

 

[AmaysChicks]

I haven’t hatched calls, but have hatched other, larger duckling breeds and assisted in this way. This all sounds and looks good to me. I believe you’re doing a great job. They definitely still need some time to absorb. I, personally, might check on them during the night just in case, but you may also be fine leaving them until morning. I wish you and them good luck

Thanks. These guys are actually where I work, I can go back to check if necessary. We got rid of the drake because one of our hens died from a hematoma he made on her neck so this is my only chance to get ducklings.

 

[KathiQuacks]

Thanks. These guys are actually where I work, I can go back to check if necessary. We got rid of the drake because one of our hens died from a hematoma he made on her neck so this is my only chance to get ducklings.

Wow, I’m so sorry. I really hope they’re okay then! They can certainly sit in the eggs for awhile. Checking on them would only be in case they decide they want to hatch early, in which you could be there to help them out.

 

[cheezenkwackers]

They have oxygen and the blood vessels mean they aren’t ready yet. So, they should be fine until tomorrow.

 

[AmaysChicks]

UPDATE: We have 2 ducklings!! I couldn't wait at home so I went back in. Got in just in time to see furthest along duck half out of his shell. While he was working hard 2nd one had popped his wing out and was wobbleing all over so I made his hole bigger. He popped out about 10 min later so I think I made it a little too big he has just a tiny open navel, smaller than your average pencil lead. I opened up the other 2 a little more just to make sure I could cover as much membrane with vasaline that I could. One was really making good progress clearing up.

 

[KathiQuacks]

UPDATE: We have 2 ducklings!! I couldn't wait at home so I went back in. Got in just in time to see furthest along duck half out of his shell. While he was working hard 2nd one had popped his wing out and was wobbleing all over so I made his hole bigger. He popped out about 10 min later so I think I made it a little too big he has just a tiny open navel, smaller than your average pencil lead. I opened up the other 2 a little more just to make sure I could cover as much membrane with vasaline that I could. One was really making good progress clearing up.

Congrats! How amazing! Sounds like it was the right call to go back in They are soo adorable. That navel should heal up very soon. May the other two hatch and everyone be safe and sound.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Precious congrats!!