How to hatch call ducklings? ***Updated questions!****

[SilkieSensation]

They are beyond internal pip they have already pipped the shell externally. Does that change anything or should I intervene or leave alone. Sorry for being so unsure, I just don't want to hurt them. Can I open the incubator and check them individually?

Once they externally pip it can take another 48 hours to fully hatch. Just check about every 6 hours or so & make sure they are making progress on their own. Some will sit there with just the pip & rest for up to 12 hours before doing anything else. This is normal & no cause for panic. They need time to absorb the veins & yolk sack before they finish hatching.

 

[Terry2]

Thank you exactly the advice I needed. Would it hurt if I opened the incubator or should I leave it shut.

 

[SilkieSensation]

Thank you exactly the advice I needed. Would it hurt if I opened the incubator or should I leave it shut.

You should keep it closed as much as possible to keep humidity stable. If you DO have to open it for any reason, us a spray bottle of HOT water to mist the top of the inside of the bator lid (NOT the eggs themselves) lightly before closing to bump humidity back up instantly.

 

[reereechickens]

Thanks for the advice, this is the best website for help! I will be getting 3 call/East Indie mixes on Mon. They are already a week old. What great luck, especially for CL! I hope it works!

 

[reereechickens]

Good luck Terry, this part is so nerve wracking! Also if you use a light bulb in the inc, don't spray the bulb with water, it will blow!

 

[Lacrystol]

So I set 11 more call duck eggs in my incubator on Monday, so today will be day three (when I turn the turner on). I'll candle and mark the air cells on the 7th day. The humidity, since I added water, was 41% last night. Is that too high? I was hoping to get it around 35%.

If you are sponging them then no

 

[PoultryGirly]

I haven't been sponging them. Should I? The humidity is there is about 47% and it is VERY humid outside. Could that be affecting it?

 

[SilkieSensation]

I haven't been sponging them. Should I? The humidity is there is about 47% and it is VERY humid outside. Could that be affecting it?

Humidity is definitely affected by ambient humidity. I would remove the water from the bator if you can't get it low enough with it in. I never sponge or mist my waterfowl & they do fine. They do get brief cooling periods daily though because I hand turn. If you are using the turner you may want to mist & cool simply because that is the only time they will get the lower humidity & cooling period.

 

[PoultryGirly]

So should I take all of the eggs out of the incubator with the turner and then remove the water from the water trays underneath? I have to remove the eggs out of the incubator to remove the water. It will take about 2-5 minutes. Is that okay?

ETA: the humidity outside is about 60%

 

[SilkieSensation]

So should I take all of the eggs out of the incubator with the turner and then remove the water from the water trays underneath? I have to remove the eggs out of the incubator to remove the water. It will take about 2-5 minutes. Is that okay?

ETA: the humidity outside is about 60%

That would be fine. I never put water in those trays for exactly that reason. Once it's in you have to tear everything apart to get it back out. Try using a small bowl or shallow lid (peanut butter lid may fit under the turner) & sitting it right on the wire where you can get to it without completely tearing everything apart. Since you are using a turner, try to make it so you can get to it by lifting out 1 egg to fill & so you don't have to do more than lift a rail out to reach the bowl to remove it to empty excess water out.