Recent content by madamiec

The easiest way to tell a goose from a duck is the nose holes.

Your bath routine is fine and you may be seeing the rapid explosion of feather growth. Ducklings turn into ducks very quickly.

I use a Top Hatch and IncuView for waterfowl, only because I have other models and the rolling models have worked better for me. Any incubator that is big enough should be fine. My waterfowl also do better with hand turning than on automatic. No idea why. Goose eggs are touchy. I can hatch my...

The link from a post above to google drive still works if you need 845 instructions!

We have had no losses since raising geese and the big boys took over. I have some roos and toms but everyone still gets locked up at night just in case. Pilgram girls are so sweet.

nibbling question...I call it piddling when they do it in water...this is the way they eat and explore so they do nibble your feet and fingers if you are the lovely thing that brings food

Many people do but it's best to wait until they are 4 weeks old to add treats and grit. If you decide to give them anything except commercial feed please remember to give them grit.

Basically the same way they do the chicken but it takes much longer to do. This is why it costs twice as much to have them processed (or more) and why few processors do waterfowl.

Are you comparing this one to other duck eggs the same age or chicken eggs? It looks fine to me and who cares how long it's been incubating as long as it's developing...it will hatch when it's ready. You will be able to see more movement in the empty space as the baby gets bigger. You won't...

I have had no issues with my IncuView but anyone who has called support on this forum has gotten parts or answers right away. I would make sure to use a surge protector on any equipment...we have issues with our rural electric company even when there is no storm. I think they even monitor this...

The broody mom will do a better job....just let her do her thing. When you get close to hatch date you can candle every day to track the egg progress. When there is a duck in the air sack you can make a pin prick in the large end of the egg air sack if it makes you feel better. Moms don't...

Process at 12 or 16 weeks and you need to scald them a little longer....detergent in the water helps get through the oil on the feathers. Now you know why processors don't like to do ducks and when they do it's double the cost of a chicken. Good luck!

You said the eggs were pipped externally right? Especially if the wrong ender has now moved around...let's see. Has anyone started zipping around the shell? Still pecking and chipping away inside? I would personally just crack the zipline around the shell where the pips are and see if that...

When the fuzz starts drying in the egg it sets the baby and next time you can gently rinse or wipe the duckling with warm water to help the process along so it's not so much work to figure out feet down, head up, etc. I'm glad it's doing okay. Hopefully the last baby is out now too. Duck eggs...

I use a GQF digital hygrometer and thermometer to double check unit readouts...I also use a mechanical kitchen probe in the vent plug that I can calibrate easily to check and compare to the digital. I find that the unit holds heat with no problems and do not have to use any extra insulation. I...