Incubating Duck eggs(first time)

[1eyejer]

Now that i have some duck eggs, I want to hatch them and I have some questions...first of all is the heat and humidity the same as chickens?? I keep seeing people mention spraying(misting) the eggs, what is this about? and my ducks are a mixture of Aylesbury,Rouen and Muscovy,,I have read that Muscovy eggs take longer,,if that is the case, what is the best way to hatch these eggs??

 

[duckyfromoz]

Mallard dirived ducklings need 28 days incubation - where as muscovies take 35 days so if you are wanting the ducklings to hatch together rather than a week apart- just put the scovie eggs in first- then add the other eggs a week later.

Spraying the eggs is to simulate the mother ducks getting off the nest and having a swim- she would return still damp adding to the humidity under her. You need a higher humidity for duck eggs- especially durring lockdown. In my machine I aim for 80 - 85 % for lockdown- but it will go up over 90 once they actually start to hatch. Durring the main part of incubation I dont worry so much about the actual amount of humity - I watch for the size of the air cell- it is a better indicator of if the eggs need more or less humidity- as not all eggs loose moisture at the same rate.