Just look at this tiny dragon! An assisted hatch! These are absolutely terrifying, there is a lot that can go wrong, but it's sometimes necessary! This little black Call didn't manage to pip into their air sac to then rest before making the external pip through the shell. The poor mite had to break straight through to breathe. We left it as long as possible but it was obviously exhausted, Calls with show type short beaks and shipped eggs like this one need shorter waiting times too. So, in I went with flour to stop potential bleeding, coconut oil to make the membrane transparent to check for veins before peeling it back, thin tweezers and a strong candling light. All the veins were dry so it was clearly ready. I freed the head after checking where the air sac was and marking it out, and then gravity (and two sets of tiny toes!) did the rest. Just an amazing and frightening experience! I'm pleased to say Derek is now a month old, smaller than their sibling, but doing very well! #whatducksdo #callduck #callducks #blackcall #blackduck #duckling #newborn #newbornduckling #duck #instaducks #petducks #assistedhatch #instagood (at Southampton)