Lonely Duckling

[Katieao]

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?

 

[Miss Lydia]

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

 

[caesargirl]

Lol. Give him a day and you can let him swim in the sink in warm water with you standing right there at all times few inches of water and then a blow dry waving the dryer back and forth on low. Was he sticky when he hatched? Sounds like a high humidity low temp issue. Try the float test with the remaining eggs. Sometimes that can detect life where the human eye can't.

 

[Miss Lydia]

So that brings me to my next question. The little duck that I hatched is all crusty, not soft and fluffy like I'm used to. Am I supposed to wash him or something?

Is he crusty around the eyes too? you can take a qtip or cotton ball dipped in nice warm water and gently try and remove the crust from there. Once he's had a nice warm bath he should be nice and fluffy once dry. They sure are cute.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Yes, it did. He's a fuzzy little baby now. I agree the others are a little older but that's the youngest you can get from a feed store. They don't bully him though, they snuggle and guide him.

That is just so sweet. He'll watch them and learn next time they go in the water He'll probably be diving right along with them.

 

[sourland]

Did you calibrate your thermometer. I'd be concerned that the eggs may have been incubated at too low a temperature.

 

[Katieao]

  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. :/

 

[Miss Lydia]

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.

 

[Katieao]

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.

 

[caesargirl]

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.