Help! Ducks have pipped internally but not externally after 24 hours!

[BabyDucks]

I have a hova bator (still air) incubator with two Rouen duck eggs. They were due to hatch between yesterday afternoon and today. I originally had 3 duck eggs, but one of them internally pipped on day 26 and hatched the next morning. I took him out, since he was bumping his head on the heating elements of the incubator. I made sure that the other two eggs had not yet externally pipped, so I brought the incubator into a hot steamy bathroom to remove the ducking and quickly inspect the other two eggs which have already internally pipped and seem to be changing in color. By that, I mean that the area of the air pocket of each egg is getting darker in color. When I quickly candled, there was no movement. I placed them back into the incubator and am continuing to monitor them. I am extremely worried. I know that this is their hatching date and that I should wait, but there is absolutely no peeping sound or movement coming from the eggs, which is the opposite of what I saw 5 days ago. The temp is at 99 degrees and the humidity is at 75 degrees. I tried to follow all instructions but am now a little worried. Is there anything that I should do now? Should I continue to wait? I feel like from all that I have read, an external pip comes 24 hours after and internal pip or they run out of oxygen. Any advice is appreciated. Sorry for the novel... Thanks...

 

[BabyDucks]

Here is a picture of what I mean about the changing in color.

 

[kateliza]

I wish someone would have answered you because I have the same question about the oxygen after internally pipping.

 

[subhanalah]

@Lacrystol

 

[Lacrystol]

Well the first thing I would do is lower that humidity. 75 is kind of pushing. 80 could kill it. So about 65 to 70 would be good, second if there's no movement they have probably already perished.

You best bet at this time is to wait one day after the due date which I believe is tomorrow make them a safe hole, after the safe hole smell inside this should give you an idea if they are a live or not. But it may be to early yet too.

I have noticed discoloration of eggs is usually a sign they are no longer alive or they are but extremely to weak and practically have giving up, they are just barely alive..

Sorry if I sound cold but then again I could be totally wrong. So make the safe hole, smell it, then give them, one more day.

After that day I would start opening it from the air cell side only. Touch the membrane and wait for movement, if none continue taken Shell off until it's completely out and examine the baby, look for anything noticeable that might have caused the death..you could send a pic and perhaps we can see something that maybe you didn't notice..

 

[BabyDucks]

I did wait one day after, before opening the incubator to check the eggs. They were both gone by then and I suspect they died maybe one to two days before hatch date, which made me feel incredibly sad and helpless. It's sometimes difficult to gauge what information is correct when it comes to correct incubator temperatures and humidity levels. Everyone has different information. Luckily, I had two additional eggs hatching in my Brinsea mini advance (which was a gift). That hatch was 100% successful! I will say that I will continue hatching, but not in the old still air styrofoam incubator I used with my poor hatch. I have been hatching for three years and totally love it but was not emotionally prepared for losing my ducklings

Anyway, thanks for your help and advice. I am currently with three beautiful ducklings and 7 quail eggs in my incubator, which should hatch in about 15 days...wish me luck

-Tammy

 

[corrinekay]

@Lacrystol I have a question that maybe you can answer. I have 8 duck eggs mom is sitting on them. The air cells dipped about three days ago. I can see shadowing in the air cell on two since almost two days ago. They are moving around still. I think they rested for a while earlier, but checked tonight and they are moving, but not as strongly on two. I can't hear anything. Yesterday I saw the one poking toward the air cell alot, without any progress. How long should it take them from the internal to external pip? Also will there be peeping once they break through the air cell? All but one egg has hairline cracking. Not sure if it's from them or mom. I was just worried they may be stuck. Also I don't know exact date of when she started sitting.

 

[kateliza]

@Lacrystol I have a question that maybe you can answer. I have 8 duck eggs mom is sitting on them. The air cells dipped about three days ago. I can see shadowing in the air cell on two since almost two days ago. They are moving around still. I think they rested for a while earlier, but checked tonight and they are moving, but not as strongly on two. I can't hear anything. Yesterday I saw the one poking toward the air cell alot, without any progress. How long should it take them from the internal to external pip? Also will there be peeping once they break through the air cell? All but one egg has hairline cracking. Not sure if it's from them or mom. I was just worried they may be stuck. Also I don't know exact date of when she started sitting.

I know this wasn't a question for me but I am hatching out muscovys and most of my eggs waited about 24-30 hrs before pipping externally after internal pip. We are on day 35. One hatched on day 34. 11 today. And a few more only internally pipped today, and a few who were externally pipped but not zipped. So be patient. I know I had a hard time with that lol. I wanted my baby ducks.

 

[corrinekay]

I'm excited for anyone to reply. I have a hard time with patience too, I just don't want them to die right before hatch. My mom last year did not sit so well, and we lost all of them. These are doing well so far and I want it to stay that way!! Thanks for the reply. Did you hear yours peeping before hatch?

 

[kateliza]

Some were quiet right up until they were zipping. Others were loud mouths! I love hearing them peep in the shell though. That's when I know it is just about time. But if you listen to the internally pipped they are usually pecking at the egg. Not really hard at least it doesn't sound hard but pecking none the less.