Duck egg internally pipped for 24 hours

[Kanrayhen24]

One of my duck eggs has internally pipped I can see her beak in the aircell and I can hear her tapping on the shell when I put it up to my ear! She's even chirping but it's been just over 24 hours and still no external zip? Should I put a safety hole in or just leave it? The eggs are day 27.

 

[Kanrayhen24]

One of my duck eggs has internally pipped I can see her beak in the aircell and I can hear her tapping on the shell when I put it up to my ear! She's even chirping but it's been just over 24 hours and still no external zip? Should I put a safety hole in or just leave it? The eggs are day 27.

External pip sorry not zip

 

[HeritageFan]

What is your temp and humidity in the incubator?
How much have you been opening it to check?

If everything else seems good (which, it sounds like it should)
Try to resist opening the incubator to avoid losing humidity, and, personally, I would at least wait out the night.

I have had more challenges from stepping in too early (yolk sack not absorbed being problem #1, which can lead to a yolk sac rupture or hernia if they come out too early)

nature usually knows best. But. I’d likely add a safety hole tomorrow if there isn’t more progress.
Pls keep is posted!
Happy hatching

 

[Kanrayhen24]

What is your temp and humidity in the incubator?
How much have you been opening it to check?

If everything else seems good (which, it sounds like it should)
Try to resist opening the incubator to avoid losing humidity, and, personally, I would at least wait out the night.

I have had more challenges from stepping in too early (yolk sack not absorbed being problem #1, which can lead to a yolk sac rupture or hernia if they come out too early)

nature usually knows best. But. I’d likely add a safety hole tomorrow if there isn’t more progress.
Pls keep is posted!
Happy hatching

I'm not able to check the humidity inside the incubator but from the guide it said to fill the bottom tray completely for the last 3 days which I have and every time I open it I mist the eggs to maintain humidity. I have checked it probably 5 times today and have heard it tapping at the shell and when I peep at it she peeps back! My memory isn't serving me well but I think she could've internally pipped almost 30 hours ago. I will do my best to refrain from opening the incubator haha my excitement is getting the best of me! Thank you for your advice I'll sleep tonight and hopefully in the morning I'll see an external pip will keep you posted

 

[Kanrayhen24]

What is your temp and humidity in the incubator?
How much

What is your temp and humidity in the incubator?
How much have you been opening it to check?

If everything else seems good (which, it sounds like it should)
Try to resist opening the incubator to avoid losing humidity, and, personally, I would at least wait out the night.

I have had more challenges from stepping in too early (yolk sack not absorbed being problem #1, which can lead to a yolk sac rupture or hernia if they come out too early)

nature usually knows best. But. I’d likely add a safety hole tomorrow if there isn’t more progress.
Pls keep is posted!
Happy hatching

I saw an attempt of an external pip this morning so I poked a little hole where it was and have left it in the incubator since (about 6 hours) when should I assist further if she hasn't made any progress?

 

[HeritageFan]

I saw an attempt of an external pip this morning so I poked a little hole where it was and have left it in the incubator since (about 6 hours) when should I assist further if she hasn't made any progress?

Not at all picking on you, but it is really important to know what the actual humidity and temperature is inside your bator... It won’t help now, but, if you want to do this again, it’s worth finding a good way to monitor.

Lots of people here like to use the govee hygrometer and a separate mercury thermometer (the thermometer for the incubator only costs a few $ at most feed stores)
https://www.amazon.com/Govee-Thermometer-Hygrometer-Bluetooth-Temperature/dp/B07R586J37/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=1XX384L74OLYR&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Sy-zWxhd8VxwdP6G5Pdw01kERgm-JYJPpv8OOM3Q7E73xFQMv7MbZdflEVEhTdCvFlxfxhU6AExYW9bLOPJuu8_NlqbwujrOT54upaCeZd6ZbKcneWsClGKC1k_TPHaLEcxB4uJIxNmLzqTTzHyb1eANfc8ncwm7OuOuahJ4MRLtK_jjWHJOKAFtmRNvJQ0O5p8NReg1hprmsDtE8uYuZA._qp2rIWMf8no6dfE0SI_R40uwdjoHrQT89P6uLSTV3k&dib_tag=se&keywords=govee+humidity+sensor&qid=1733290134&sprefix=govee+hum,aps,277&sr=8-3
I personally use this one
https://www.amazon.com/SECRUI-Therm...BQ1RZGG&psc=1&ref_=pd_bap_m_grid_dv_rp_0_14_t
I do salt test them, which isn’t hard- I can send you info on “how to”.
But. Let’s focus on the moment-

Ducklings can often take 48+ hours to zip. Once you have intervened, personally, I get more “hands on”.

Especially if you are not certain about your incubator “settings”.

Personally, at this point, I would grab some coconut oil, put a bit in a small bowl, grab some qtips (vaseline is a second choice, olive oil if that’s all you have). Carefully peel open the area of the egg where the air cell is - being very careful to watch for (and stop if you see) any red veins or bleeding.

Use the qtips to apply the “oil” to any inner membrane that you expose. Also use the “oily” qtip to “roll” any (non veinious) membrane away from the baby.

If you choose to assist...
It’s important to open the shell but allow the baby to push itself out. If the yolk sack is not absorbed, you are going to have another challenge on your hands.
And, the strength that they gain from the process of working their way out of the shell is also important.

There is a great article here, I’ll see if I can find it. I’ll also look for some pics of how much of the egg I open when I assist...

 

[HeritageFan]

Assisted hatch article
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/guide-to-assisted-hatching-for-all-poultry.72886/

 

[HeritageFan]

Here are some that I peeled back the “top” of the egg / air sack area

I also pulled back the membrane w the cotton swab and applied coconut oil, to both the outside and inside (carefully)
- there were no veins in the membranes. They were ready to hatch but needed a hand due to inconsistent humidity in my incubator/ opening it too much


These kids all pushed out on their own and thrived once hatched

I hope your experience is like this one. I’ve also had poor outcomes- don’t beat yourself up if your outcome is not as positive..... it’s a tough time of year to try to hatch.
Do you have any other babies coming?
If not....
I suggest a small stuffed animal and this
(Even this if you have a few that you expect to hatch!)
https://www.amazon.com/JW-Pet-Compa...74E8&psc=1&ref_=pd_bap_m_grid_dv_rp_0_29_cp_t

 

[Kanrayhen24]

Not at all picking on you, but it is really important to know what the actual humidity and temperature is inside your bator... It won’t help now, but, if you want to do this again, it’s worth finding a good way to monitor.

Lots of people here like to use the govee hygrometer and a separate mercury thermometer (the thermometer for the incubator only costs a few $ at most feed stores)
https://www.amazon.com/Govee-Thermometer-Hygrometer-Bluetooth-Temperature/dp/B07R586J37/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=1XX384L74OLYR&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Sy-zWxhd8VxwdP6G5Pdw01kERgm-JYJPpv8OOM3Q7E73xFQMv7MbZdflEVEhTdCvFlxfxhU6AExYW9bLOPJuu8_NlqbwujrOT54upaCeZd6ZbKcneWsClGKC1k_TPHaLEcxB4uJIxNmLzqTTzHyb1eANfc8ncwm7OuOuahJ4MRLtK_jjWHJOKAFtmRNvJQ0O5p8NReg1hprmsDtE8uYuZA._qp2rIWMf8no6dfE0SI_R40uwdjoHrQT89P6uLSTV3k&dib_tag=se&keywords=govee+humidity+sensor&qid=1733290134&sprefix=govee+hum,aps,277&sr=8-3
I personally use this one
https://www.amazon.com/SECRUI-Therm...BQ1RZGG&psc=1&ref_=pd_bap_m_grid_dv_rp_0_14_t
I do salt test them, which isn’t hard- I can send you info on “how to”.
But. Let’s focus on the moment-

Ducklings can often take 48+ hours to zip. Once you have intervened, personally, I get more “hands on”.

Especially if you are not certain about your incubator “settings”.

Personally, at this point, I would grab some coconut oil, put a bit in a small bowl, grab some qtips (vaseline is a second choice, olive oil if that’s all you have). Carefully peel open the area of the egg where the air cell is - being very careful to watch for (and stop if you see) any red veins or bleeding.

Use the qtips to apply the “oil” to any inner membrane that you expose. Also use the “oily” qtip to “roll” any (non veinious) membrane away from the baby.

If you choose to assist...
It’s important to open the shell but allow the baby to push itself out. If the yolk sack is not absorbed, you are going to have another challenge on your hands.
And, the strength that they gain from the process of working their way out of the shell is also important.

There is a great article here, I’ll see if I can find it. I’ll also look for some pics of how much of the egg I open when I assist...

I really tried to find one but I could only order online which would take too long to arrive and it's my first time hatching so I didn't know too much about the humidity being so important. I followed the guide on the info pack which I think could be for chickens thank you so much for your help I've done everything you've said and left her in the incubator to finish the job! I put coconut oil on the membrane to stop it from drying out so will keep you posted on how she goes

 

[Kanrayhen24]

I really tried to find one but I could only order online which would take too long to arrive and it's my first time hatching so I didn't know too much about the humidity being so important. I followed the guide on the info pack which I think could be for chickens thank you so much for your help I've done everything you've said and left her in the incubator to finish the job! I put coconut oil on the membrane to stop it from drying out so will keep you posted on how she goes

Also yes I have another egg in there that is progressing well I have 6 others that aren't as far along in the incubation stage but not far off at all!