One Duck a-cheeping
December 13th 2011 02:28
I was going to call this post 'One egg a-pipping' but things have progressed.
Piper pipped on Sunday night. Monday, the 12th, was exactly 24 days from the day I picked them up - Pacific Blacks have a 24 to 26 day gestation. The dent was a tiny outward bend with a few little cracks, and I felt it was early so I left it at that. This morning however, the hole was bigger and my newest little duck was onviously in distress. There was no bright flowing blood as with the ill fated, 'duck2' of my first clutch, so I proceeded with caution to help break the shell. Piper wasted no time in peeping at me insistantly - "My foot is in my face - get me outta here!" So 'a little help' turned into hour long Operation Duckbirth.
I know that Piper is early. The air sac in that egg filled almost half the egg space on Sunday. Piper had no choice but to pip. But, Piper also had no choice but to hatch today, as the membranes were stained with waste. I didnt want to risk little Piper dying in the shell, so Ive taken the chance to see if he/she will live.
The little waste sac was still attached - Ive read that it will dry up and drop off but Piper was obviously distressed by it so I gently pinched it free. Now theres a red bulb there that I dont like, but I seem to remember Wist having a similar problem - it was why his first poop excited me so much. I just have to keep little duckie away from it I think, and it will dry up as its supposed to.
One of the eggs - the one Id marked as having a 'lively' embryo at my last candling session - began to develop black spots on Sunday. Knowing that the rotten egg also did this, I was a bit worried and did some research. Yes, it happens in rotten eggs, but it also happens in eggs where the duckling is moving a lot - they pierce the membrane and the dry spot shows up dark on the outside.
By the time I got home from work last night, the darkness had spread across the entire bottom of the shell like a bruise. I thought for sure it was dead. But this morning, the darkness is actually going away and the egg is going creamy again. So, I have no idea whats going on in the other eggs, I cant candle them in case I hurt the babies, and I have no idea how long Id let them incubate before I give up.
But Pipers first order of business was to slither across the nest and start peeping and smacking the other eggs with an insistant beak. Quite obviously, "Im out! Yous git out too!" So all I can do is wait.
Piper pipped on Sunday night. Monday, the 12th, was exactly 24 days from the day I picked them up - Pacific Blacks have a 24 to 26 day gestation. The dent was a tiny outward bend with a few little cracks, and I felt it was early so I left it at that. This morning however, the hole was bigger and my newest little duck was onviously in distress. There was no bright flowing blood as with the ill fated, 'duck2' of my first clutch, so I proceeded with caution to help break the shell. Piper wasted no time in peeping at me insistantly - "My foot is in my face - get me outta here!" So 'a little help' turned into hour long Operation Duckbirth.
I know that Piper is early. The air sac in that egg filled almost half the egg space on Sunday. Piper had no choice but to pip. But, Piper also had no choice but to hatch today, as the membranes were stained with waste. I didnt want to risk little Piper dying in the shell, so Ive taken the chance to see if he/she will live.
The little waste sac was still attached - Ive read that it will dry up and drop off but Piper was obviously distressed by it so I gently pinched it free. Now theres a red bulb there that I dont like, but I seem to remember Wist having a similar problem - it was why his first poop excited me so much. I just have to keep little duckie away from it I think, and it will dry up as its supposed to.
One of the eggs - the one Id marked as having a 'lively' embryo at my last candling session - began to develop black spots on Sunday. Knowing that the rotten egg also did this, I was a bit worried and did some research. Yes, it happens in rotten eggs, but it also happens in eggs where the duckling is moving a lot - they pierce the membrane and the dry spot shows up dark on the outside.
By the time I got home from work last night, the darkness had spread across the entire bottom of the shell like a bruise. I thought for sure it was dead. But this morning, the darkness is actually going away and the egg is going creamy again. So, I have no idea whats going on in the other eggs, I cant candle them in case I hurt the babies, and I have no idea how long Id let them incubate before I give up.
But Pipers first order of business was to slither across the nest and start peeping and smacking the other eggs with an insistant beak. Quite obviously, "Im out! Yous git out too!" So all I can do is wait.
| 41 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
Comment by The Aranya By Unnati Fortune Group.
Ajnara Grand Heritage Noida
Comment by Springview Floors New Indirapuram.
Ajnara Grand Heritage Noida
Comment by Pan oasis by Amrapali Group.
Ajnara Grand Heritage Noida