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Hen hatching ducklings, advice needed...

post #1 of 7
4/17/12 at 12:10pm
Thread Starter 

I gave 5 buff duck eggs to my silkie hen to hatch. Shes done a great job so far. The first baby hatched on Sunday, the 2nd on Monday. Now its Tuesday and the other 3 haven't hatched yet. I candled the eggs quickly, and I can see them moving so I know they aren't dead, and 2 eggs have had cracks on them since Monday too. How long can it take for a brood to hatch? Should I help along the 2 that have pipped so far? Is it normal for them to take 3 or 4 days to hatch?

 

Thanks!

1920 Craftsman Bungalow in the heart of Ferndale in Metro Detroit, with the backyard harboring 2 Welsummers, 4 Australorps, 2 Brown Leghorns, 5 Araucanas, 5 Polish, 3 Silkies, 2 Buff Ducks and a Dutch Banty hen. New chicks for 2012: 6 Rhode Island Reds, 6 Barred Rocks and 4 Buff Orpingtons.

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1920 Craftsman Bungalow in the heart of Ferndale in Metro Detroit, with the backyard harboring 2 Welsummers, 4 Australorps, 2 Brown Leghorns, 5 Araucanas, 5 Polish, 3 Silkies, 2 Buff Ducks and a Dutch Banty hen. New chicks for 2012: 6 Rhode Island Reds, 6 Barred Rocks and 4 Buff Orpingtons.

Reply

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post #2 of 7
4/18/12 at 12:33am
I'do e togive advice but I haven't hatched anything myself... Someone should come along with info... But from reading sometimes it takes several more days for some to hatch.

I'm a Dog trainer... I do Dog Agility... then I got the crazy idea to try herding so I've gotten ducks and some chicks for eggs... and now I may end up doing shows with them too... yes... I have lost my mind.

Oh and did I mention I do vehicle decals (right now it's mostly dog designs) and lettering... and Tshirt's and coaster sets and decorative tiles... hey I've been out of a regular job...

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I'm a Dog trainer... I do Dog Agility... then I got the crazy idea to try herding so I've gotten ducks and some chicks for eggs... and now I may end up doing shows with them too... yes... I have lost my mind.

Oh and did I mention I do vehicle decals (right now it's mostly dog designs) and lettering... and Tshirt's and coaster sets and decorative tiles... hey I've been out of a regular job...

Reply
post #3 of 7
4/18/12 at 4:44am

I am not experienced, but have followed a few threads on hatching.

 

You probably already know duck eggs take 28 days (give or take), a week longer than chicks.

 

It can seem like an eternity for the whole hatching process to complete.  How is the hen doing?  Is she sticking with it?

 

Some people have brought egglings in to an incubator, especially if it seems the membrane has shrink wrapped the duckling.

 

Let's hope some experienced hatchers weigh in soon.

 

Sometimes they do need help, but often they need some patience, and occasionally time in an incubator.  Do you have one or can you borrow one (and disinfect it beforehand) should that be needed?

 

 

Nine beautiful Runners, four beautiful Buffs, thousands of beautiful memories and counting.

 

Looking for ducks?  Please consider adopting rescued ducks.  There are many places and people who do rescues, but we are not allowed to post the links due to BYC regs.  So fire up your web browsers and find some sweet, grateful duckies. 

 

 

Reply

Nine beautiful Runners, four beautiful Buffs, thousands of beautiful memories and counting.

 

Looking for ducks?  Please consider adopting rescued ducks.  There are many places and people who do rescues, but we are not allowed to post the links due to BYC regs.  So fire up your web browsers and find some sweet, grateful duckies. 

 

 

Reply
post #4 of 7
4/18/12 at 10:11am
Thread Starter 

Thanks for the input. The hen is doing fine. I think she would sit for months at a time if i would let her. Last night one more hatched, so now the ducklings are 3 days, 2 days, and about 12 hours old. I candled the last two eggs again, and i can see them moving. I don't have an incubator available. I put a layer of warm damp paper towel under the hen to help with adding moisture.

 

I also have looked through the posts, and all threads seem to be geared towards hatching with an incubator. If I was using an incubator and not a hen I wouldn't be that concerned. Its just that the older ducklings are getting a little rowdy, and I don't want to take them out because I'm afraid the hen will stop sitting. I guess if its normal for a hatch to be spread out over a few days then I wont worry.
 

1920 Craftsman Bungalow in the heart of Ferndale in Metro Detroit, with the backyard harboring 2 Welsummers, 4 Australorps, 2 Brown Leghorns, 5 Araucanas, 5 Polish, 3 Silkies, 2 Buff Ducks and a Dutch Banty hen. New chicks for 2012: 6 Rhode Island Reds, 6 Barred Rocks and 4 Buff Orpingtons.

Reply

1920 Craftsman Bungalow in the heart of Ferndale in Metro Detroit, with the backyard harboring 2 Welsummers, 4 Australorps, 2 Brown Leghorns, 5 Araucanas, 5 Polish, 3 Silkies, 2 Buff Ducks and a Dutch Banty hen. New chicks for 2012: 6 Rhode Island Reds, 6 Barred Rocks and 4 Buff Orpingtons.

Reply
post #5 of 7
4/18/12 at 3:00pm
Thread Starter 
Update: just got home and 4 have hatched so far, and the 5th will probably be out tonight. So lesson learned is that a hatch can take 4 days to complete. All of the ducklings seem healthy and vigorous so I guess it's best to let them take their time.

1920 Craftsman Bungalow in the heart of Ferndale in Metro Detroit, with the backyard harboring 2 Welsummers, 4 Australorps, 2 Brown Leghorns, 5 Araucanas, 5 Polish, 3 Silkies, 2 Buff Ducks and a Dutch Banty hen. New chicks for 2012: 6 Rhode Island Reds, 6 Barred Rocks and 4 Buff Orpingtons.

Reply

1920 Craftsman Bungalow in the heart of Ferndale in Metro Detroit, with the backyard harboring 2 Welsummers, 4 Australorps, 2 Brown Leghorns, 5 Araucanas, 5 Polish, 3 Silkies, 2 Buff Ducks and a Dutch Banty hen. New chicks for 2012: 6 Rhode Island Reds, 6 Barred Rocks and 4 Buff Orpingtons.

Reply
post #6 of 7
4/18/12 at 3:53pm

 

 

That confirms the impression I have from what I have read.

 

Congratulations!!!!!

 

(I'd put a Wheeeee! emoticon up, but the server is being difficult)

 

 

 

Nine beautiful Runners, four beautiful Buffs, thousands of beautiful memories and counting.

 

Looking for ducks?  Please consider adopting rescued ducks.  There are many places and people who do rescues, but we are not allowed to post the links due to BYC regs.  So fire up your web browsers and find some sweet, grateful duckies. 

 

 

Reply

Nine beautiful Runners, four beautiful Buffs, thousands of beautiful memories and counting.

 

Looking for ducks?  Please consider adopting rescued ducks.  There are many places and people who do rescues, but we are not allowed to post the links due to BYC regs.  So fire up your web browsers and find some sweet, grateful duckies. 

 

 

Reply
post #7 of 7
4/19/12 at 8:37pm
Thread Starter 
I'm actually pretty impressed. I gave her 5 eggs and she hatched 5 ducklings...

1920 Craftsman Bungalow in the heart of Ferndale in Metro Detroit, with the backyard harboring 2 Welsummers, 4 Australorps, 2 Brown Leghorns, 5 Araucanas, 5 Polish, 3 Silkies, 2 Buff Ducks and a Dutch Banty hen. New chicks for 2012: 6 Rhode Island Reds, 6 Barred Rocks and 4 Buff Orpingtons.

Reply

1920 Craftsman Bungalow in the heart of Ferndale in Metro Detroit, with the backyard harboring 2 Welsummers, 4 Australorps, 2 Brown Leghorns, 5 Araucanas, 5 Polish, 3 Silkies, 2 Buff Ducks and a Dutch Banty hen. New chicks for 2012: 6 Rhode Island Reds, 6 Barred Rocks and 4 Buff Orpingtons.

Reply
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