I think I saw a post about this subject from several years ago but didn't see an answer to the question. Does anyone know how long you'll see a duckling pressing against their membrane before actually breaking through for that internal pip? I've hatched a lot of eggs in the incubator so I know the actual hatch time can be several days from internal pip. I've never seen them moving their membrane for days before the internal pip. Unfortunately I'm not 100% sure how old the eggs are because we ended up with them by accident. I've had them in the incubator since 10/5 though and guessed they looked like they were about 12-14 days developed then. (From our ducks, not taken from a wild nest or anything silly like that.) There are 4 eggs, they're not Muscovy, and all look very full so it makes sense that they're close to hatching time. One has been wiggling his membrane at the air cell for 5 days now, the others started 4 days ago. I'm a bit concerned that something might be wrong with the membrane. Too tough or something. I've assisted with many a hatch so I feel ok doing that if it's time, I'm just not sure how to know if it's time. Their movement in the air cell has been much slower/less today than when I looked 2 days ago.
I guess I'm trying to figure out if 4-5 days of trying to get through the membrane into the air cell is normal or if they might need help. Any ideas?
I guess I'm trying to figure out if 4-5 days of trying to get through the membrane into the air cell is normal or if they might need help. Any ideas?