11th Annual Easter Hatch a Long 2020

[CluckNDoodle]

Day 12 duck eggs. Swishing around in there like crazy!

While reading up on hatching duck eggs I keep coming across a rather ominous bit of advice NOT to candle duck eggs too much. Are duck eggs really that much more sensitive than chicken eggs in this regard? I love candling but I don't want to do them any unnecessary harm. I understand the risk of something happening any time there is handling of the eggs. I hand turn. So they're being touched already, many times, throughout the day. Is there any other reason not to candle?

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I've read that about all eggs but I've never had an issue. Just make sure to wash your hands before handling and I think you should be just fine. I haven't hatched ducks but I've hatched goslings which are very similar.

 

[MPchicks]

Looks like a Meyer hatchery order. I hatched mixed bunch like this about a month ago. So much fun

 

[UThobbyfarmer]

I've read that about all eggs but I've never had an issue. Just make sure to wash your hands before handling and I think you should be just fine. I haven't hatched ducks but I've hatched goslings which are very similar.

Yeah, they're so different from chickens. I started chilling and misting a few days ago. Everyone in my family has come to me with a panicked expression saying "The eggs are out!!!" In hindsight I should have told them what was happening before to plopped them on the counter. Would have reduced household panic significantly.

I'm not very good about remembering to wash my hands before turning the eggs. I just figure there is no way my hands are dirtier than a chicken coop or duck run. You'd hope anyways... although I did read this earlier today.

 

[MPchicks]

Started with 9. Now down to 7. From my own flock: 1 was infertile and the second ended up with a blood ring at day 5. Still have my 6 from meyer hatchery and 1 from my bantam cochins. First picture is from day 2 and the second is day 7.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Mine should hatch around the 31st

 

[Phillisy]

These eggs aren’t part of the HAL, but they’re in the same incubator as my duck eggs, so that kind of counts, right?

One of my Sebastopol goslings on day 7... I’m BEYOND excited for these little ones

Bonus pictures of the parents, when they were still looking lovely last October...
Anastasia on the left, Kenny & Dolly on the right.

 

[PetRock]

I lost count of mine.

I don’t count mine on purpose!!!

 

[Cynthia12]

Well this isn't good. Candled. 2!.. That's all I'm seeing. The eggs I got were a mess. Quite a few broken..and the yolk was over a lot of the others. Blood rings and all tonight. Bummer. Glad I set more! Won't count for the hatch along, but hopefully they will do better!

 

[CoxCraziness]

Is this what a blood ring looks like?

 

[Cynthia12]

yes!

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Ok, tommorow.