Very Confused! What is the proper humidity levels for hatching duck eggs.

Hello Everyone!
I first want to say I'm so glad I found this site as I have had so many questions answered, learned a lot, but also have more questions.
I have been reading up on hatching and incubating duck eggs for a while now and thought I had everything down pat and was ready. However, as I was reading on this site, I came across a bunch of incubating tips where it said that the humidity levels should be at between 35-45% for the first 25 days, then up to 75% for the last three, But the site I was going to order eggs off of has a "how to hatch eggs sections" where it says 86% for days 1-25 and 94% for the last three days, which seemed a little high to me but I was going to follow their instructions until I came to this site. I have further googled and found mixed responses on the humidity levels and would just like to clarify and know the proper way to help up my hatching chances.

I have also included the site if anyone wants to check it out and see if maybe I'm just miss reading something.

---->http://www.metzerfarms.com/IncubatingAndHatching.cfm?CustID=14719663

Thanks!
-Summer

Your in Saskatchewan ....Our weather is same...Winter is Dry....What incubator are you going to use?....I have a Hovabator 1588....I ordered it from Rochester Hatchery in Westlock Alberta....

I have had a 100% hatch rate....All Ten Ducklings hatched.....

50% till around day 17...If air cells look small I drop it down to 40% and once cells get bigger in a couple of days,I up it back to 50% till lock down....Lock down I keep it at 60.....


Cheers!

I have the humidity at 52% for days 0-25 and then raise the humidity to 65-75% for lockdown. Any higher than 75%, and the ducklimbs will struggle to dry out quickly. I normally get a 90-100% hatch rate with this meathod.

Good luck

-Charlotte

I was going to use the Hovabator 1588 as well. Also what is considered a small air cell by that date ( I think I saw a chart somewhere, but cant remember and will go look for it). This seems like good levels other then the 80-90% the other site was suggesting!

Thanks for the info, these levels is for sure what I'm going to go for, instead of the extremely high levels the other site was saying.
Thanks Again!
-Summer

SummerRayne said:

I was going to use the Hovabator 1588 as well. Also what is considered a small air cell by that date ( I think I saw a chart somewhere, but cant remember and will go look for it). This seems like good levels other then the 80-90% the other site was suggesting!

Click to expand...

You will see in the eggs When you candle them.....on the fat end of the egg is the air cell..It gets bigger as the Duckling grows so they can pip their way out....No worries....You will figure that out as you get going.....

Cheers!

This was the chart I found for duck eggs. Does this look correct?

Yes...That is correct.....Also I hatch all my eggs on their side and hand turn then 3 times a day....

Cheers!

Still worried about my duckling hatching . Humidity is at 75% and temp 37.5o. Day 22 now . 11pm

You know that ducks take a week longer than chickens right? So they shouldn't be locked down at 22 normally but they will still probably be ok!