Help! Duck Egg Hatching First Timer

[Sierra G]

No, that looks like about where I'd expect him to pip. It's possible that, because he's getting enough oxygen through the hole that he's not going to externally pip and is gearing up to hatch. But it's also possible he's a bit stuck. A view of the beak will give you a better idea of how far along he is in absorbing the yolk sac. If the hole is big enough for him to get the tip of his bill out it many encourage him to go ahead and zip if he's ready.

 

[PeggyTheEggy]

No, that looks like about where I'd expect him to pip. It's possible that, because he's getting enough oxygen through the hole that he's not going to externally pip and is gearing up to hatch. But it's also possible he's a bit stuck. A view of the beak will give you a better idea of how far along he is in absorbing the yolk sac. If the hole is big enough for him to get the tip of his bill out it many encourage him to go ahead and zip if he's ready.

Opened up the hole a bit, his beak is right there, membrane was white so we moistened it a bit, but can see at the top where it seems a bit dry. Stopped here and put him back in the incubator.

 

[Sierra G]

What is he doing with his bill? Moving it? Chew motions? Just peeping?

He looks fine BTW. No bleeding and no drying out.

 

[PeggyTheEggy]

What is he doing with his bill? Moving it? Chew motions? Just peeping?

He looks fine BTW. No bleeding and no drying out.

Moving it in and out through the hole and some chewing motions. Not much peeping, he did a little bit before we opened the shell more. Does it look like he still has blood to absorb in the veins in the photo?

 

[Sierra G]

I think he's absorbed most of the blood, but the chewing motions mean he's still absorbing the yolk sac. Give him some more time and he should get out on his own when he's ready. If he's stuck when he tries to get out he'll probably peep loudly, but from what I can see he's in good shape.

 

[PeggyTheEggy]

I think he's absorbed most of the blood, but the chewing motions mean he's still absorbing the yolk sac. Give him some more time and he should get out on his own when he's ready. If he's stuck when he tries to get out he'll probably peep loudly, but from what I can see he's in good shape.

Awesome! Thank you so much for all of your help, it has kept me from being a nervous wreck! I will keep you updated, going to let him relax for now.

 

[PeggyTheEggy]

Awesome! Thank you so much for all of your help, it has kept me from being a nervous wreck! I will keep you updated, going to let him relax for now.

Should the temperature be any lower at this time?

 

[Sierra G]

99 should be fine until he hatches. If you're going to brood him in the incubator for a few days you'll want to lower it to between 85 and 90 after he hatches. Although you probably won't want to do that unless you can get the humidity down enough that he can dry out and fluff up.

 

[PeggyTheEggy]

99 should be fine until he hatches. If you're going to brood him in the incubator for a few days you'll want to lower it to between 85 and 90 after he hatches. Although you probably won't want to do that unless you can get the humidity down enough that he can dry out and fluff up.

Sounds good. Still some chewing and occasional peeping, sticking her bill out the hole more than in the photo before. There wasn’t been any movement to come out of the egg yet though. I am hoping I didn’t make the membrane too sticky where I moistened it a bit earlier.

 

[Sierra G]

Sounds good. Still some chewing and occasional peeping, sticking her bill out the hole more than in the photo before. There wasn’t been any movement to come out of the egg yet though. I am hoping I didn’t make the membrane too sticky where I moistened it a bit earlier.

It's not sticky that's the problem. It's that when the membrane dries out it shrinks. Imagine yourself in a rawhide poncho. If it's thin enough you can tear right through it. But if it dries out a straight jacket might be easier to escape from no matter how thin it is.

If she's still making chewing motions she's still absorbing yolk, but she should be done this evening. She should finish hatching before you go to bed.