1st hatch, I have a duckling! How long b4 I take it out of the bator?

[rachel]

I had four khaki campbell eggs, one has hatched and one has pipped and another is shaking like a jumping bean. How long after hatching should I take the duckling out and move it to a brooder box?

And after that, how long before I give it food and water? I know it could go a few days, but I didn't know what was actually best for it. I've read anywhere from right away to 3 days...

Also, rather than a "pip then zip" it was more of a "pip then wait 20 hours then make a big hole and barge out Kool-Aid guy style". Is this normal for ducks since they don't have as pointy of a beak?

 

[KsTornado11]

I always wait until they are pretty well dry,as opening the bator releases the much needed humidity the other eggs need for hatching. I feed them gamebird starter feed,start off w/ a chick waterer,then move to a heavy cuffe mug so they don't make as big a mess.
Congrats!!

 

[dixiechick]

not sure about ducks, but I've had the best success (with chickens and quail) when I've left them in the bator for at least 12-24 hours. I have food and water waiting in the brooder for them after that.

Congrats!!!

 

[rachel]

Well it's only been about 4 hours, but I think I'm going to have to move the little duckling. He/she seems to want to play kickball with the rest of the eggs, even after I put a little partition in there...
The humidity is at 75% and we're having very humid weather because of the monsoons, so I don't think there will be any problems for the other eggs (they will probably be grateful to not get kicked around!)
Do you think I should offer it food and water now or wait until tomorrow morning?