A setting muscovy hen was killed last night or early this morning by a predator- there are 7 eggs in her nest, cool but not cold. How long can they have gone without incubation and still survive to finish up in incubator? The neighbor says she's been setting close to a month, so they ducklings are probably well developed. Her sister was chased off her nest night before last, and all the eggs have been eaten by today, but she had just started setting a week ago.
UPDATE one week later- no development in the eggs- I'm sure they didn't survive, or may have died before I found them But thank you for the help
UPDATE 6/17- there ARE live ducklings trying to make it to the finish line, peeping intermittently- backing off and watching now.
UPDATE 6/19 - no ducklings have pipped through the outer shell, though at least 3 of them entered the air cell 3 days ago can still hear a little bit of peeping, but getting VERY worried at this stage.
UPDATE 6/20 - BREAKTHROUGH! Egg #1 has broken through the shell and is visible while working on making his escape!
UPDATE 6/20 - SUCCESS! Egg #1 has hatched and has been named Kramer! Still wet, and other eggs have cracks.
11:30pm- #2 hatched (kicked his way out)- Duck Norris has arrived, Ninja style, with black feet and wet black fuzz!
UPDATE 6/21 - #3 hatched just after 2:00am, and I'm so Dog tired I can't think of any names later on that!
#4 hatched between 3 and 4:00am, and everyone is ding fine. 2 last eggs to go.
2:30pm- egg #5 hatched!
FINAL UPDATE 6/22 - after a long unsuccessful pip and dry membrane, I assisted the last egg as a last resort over hours early this morning-the duckling was quite ready, but too big to turn in the shell to complete pipping/zipping. Arrived finally 5:00am and is drying and moving around some- all are alive and well, Thanks for all the help, especially Ancona (Kathy)! Pics better by daylight, will post today
UPDATE one week later- no development in the eggs- I'm sure they didn't survive, or may have died before I found them But thank you for the help
UPDATE 6/17- there ARE live ducklings trying to make it to the finish line, peeping intermittently- backing off and watching now.
UPDATE 6/19 - no ducklings have pipped through the outer shell, though at least 3 of them entered the air cell 3 days ago can still hear a little bit of peeping, but getting VERY worried at this stage.
UPDATE 6/20 - BREAKTHROUGH! Egg #1 has broken through the shell and is visible while working on making his escape!
UPDATE 6/20 - SUCCESS! Egg #1 has hatched and has been named Kramer! Still wet, and other eggs have cracks.
11:30pm- #2 hatched (kicked his way out)- Duck Norris has arrived, Ninja style, with black feet and wet black fuzz!
UPDATE 6/21 - #3 hatched just after 2:00am, and I'm so Dog tired I can't think of any names later on that!
#4 hatched between 3 and 4:00am, and everyone is ding fine. 2 last eggs to go.
2:30pm- egg #5 hatched!
FINAL UPDATE 6/22 - after a long unsuccessful pip and dry membrane, I assisted the last egg as a last resort over hours early this morning-the duckling was quite ready, but too big to turn in the shell to complete pipping/zipping. Arrived finally 5:00am and is drying and moving around some- all are alive and well, Thanks for all the help, especially Ancona (Kathy)! Pics better by daylight, will post today
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