Lonely Duckling

Katieao

In the Brooder
Mar 4, 2016
13
0
24
Washington state
We have 13 mallard eggs, all were fertile and moving around at day 25 when I took them out of the turner. I've followed some of the forums and kept the temperature and humidity as recommended. However, the first duckling just hatched yesterday (day 32) and now we are nearing 24hrs and the other eggs aren't doing anything?
-Should I take this little guy out and put him in the brooder by himself?
-We have two week old chicks, should I put him in with them so he isn't in a brooder alone?
-Or do I just leave him in the incubator and wait for if/when the others hatch.
*This is our first time ever hatching eggs, we've always just picked up babies at the feed store, and they've said they sell a minimum of three because if a baby ends up alone it will die due to lack of companionship and competition*

I'm curious as to why it took so long to hatch as well. Everything I read for mallards indicated 28days. But the first little guy was at day 32 and currently on day 33. The hens that were laying were mallard, but we also have one Cayuga drake and one Mascovy drake (who has only shown interest in his mascovy hens). Is it possible the eggs would take longer if one of the drakes besides the mallard drakes bred the mallard hens?
 
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Did you calibrate your thermometer. I'd be concerned that the eggs may have been incubated at too low a temperature.
 
:welcome   Did you calibrate your thermometer.  I'd be concerned that the eggs may have been incubated at too low a temperature.


We did what the instructions for the incubator said for set up. It came with a bilt-in thermometer and humidity gage. Other than that I wouldn't know how else to calibrate it. :/
 
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Did you calibrate your thermometer. I'd be concerned that the eggs may have been incubated at too low a temperature.
Also @Katieao I wouldn't put the newly hatched duckling in with 2 week old chicks they are much further along in maturity and can seriously harm a tiny duckling not able to defend it's self. Give the lil one it's own brooder and a non breakable mirror so it can see itself and a stuffed animal to cuddle with and if the rest of the eggs don't hatch[have you candled]? then maybe go to a TSC or local feed store and see about getting the lil one a buddy.
 
Also  @Katieao
  I wouldn't put the newly hatched duckling in with 2 week old chicks they are much further along in maturity and can seriously harm a tiny duckling not able to defend it's self.  Give the lil one it's own brooder and a non breakable mirror so it can see itself and a stuffed animal to cuddle with and if the rest of the eggs don't hatch[have you candled]? then maybe go to a TSC or local feed store and see about getting the lil one a buddy. 


We already have a brooder set up and ready to go for the ducklings, different from the chicks. I just wasn't sure about the poor guy being alone but the mirror and stuffed animal are a good idea. I'll have to call and see when our TSC gets another batch of ducklings in. We have one about 7mins down the road so that would be easy enough.

I haven't candled because I read that they can "shrink wrap"? And since one has hatched I was thinking the rest might be close? But if it's still safe to, I can.
 
We already have a brooder set up and ready to go for the ducklings, different from the chicks. I just wasn't sure about the poor guy being alone but the mirror and stuffed animal are a good idea. I'll have to call and see when our TSC gets another batch of ducklings in. We have one about 7mins down the road so that would be easy enough.

I haven't candled because I read that they can "shrink wrap"? And since one has hatched I was thinking the rest might be close? But if it's still safe to, I can.
If they have pipped through the shell they can shrink wrap I am pretty sure. Lets see if @caesargirl is on and if she candles during lock down if worried no more are going to hatch. or @casportpony
 
I do candle during lockdown when needed. I would also say NEVER NEVER trust gauges that come with a bator. What are your gauges reading and do you have a thermometer you trust that you can put in there now? I would almost bet that your real temp is lower than what the gauges are saying. How about humidity, what's that reading? I'd candle, quickly, and see what's alive. Sounds like temps were low and if the eggs are still alive, it will be an extended hatch.
 
I do candle during lockdown when needed. I would also say NEVER NEVER trust gauges that come with a bator. What are your gauges reading and do you have a thermometer you trust that you can put in there now? I would almost bet that your real temp is lower than what the gauges are saying. How about humidity, what's that reading? I'd candle, quickly, and see what's alive. Sounds like temps were low and if the eggs are still alive, it will be an extended hatch.


I had assumed the temp gauge would be a little off so I have it set for 37.3C (since I read it should be at 37.1C) and my humidity is reading 84% I did have it between 79-80 but it went up a little when the duckling hatched and is working its way back down.
Unfortunately, I have no other thermometers around that I could use. I used to have an old school glass one but I have no idea where it went. Probably got lost last time we moved. :/
 
Quickly candled the remaining eggs. Zero movement in any of them :( Something must have gone wrong the last couple of days, probably the temperature like suggested...
Ran to the feed store and got a couple buddies for our ONE survivor.
 

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