3rd attempt at hatching ducks.....need more help....

[70%cocoa]

That's fantastic!! Looking forward to updates.

 

[amynbrent]

Well today is day 33...so far 3 have hatched and are healthy, 3 more are almost there. I did have to assist because they are super dry, even though the humidity is at 80%! The membrane is so dry and stuck to them. Looking thru the hole their bill sticks out you could tell their fluff was dry and crusty. I picked them up in a wet towel and peeled off the shell only and made a bigger hole from the one they started in the membrane, the membrane just crumbled. I soaked wash clothes and laid them on that to soften them up and right now they look like they will be out in no time.

I'm so glad I just waited. I almost gave up yesterday. I set them all on the same day, I have never had any go to day 33!!

 

[70%cocoa]

Yeah, that is a long time! You have done a great job.

Did you candle the eggs towards the end of the hatch period? If you did, how big were the air cells? Were they about a third of the egg? They should be pretty big.

 

[amynbrent]

I did candle them and since ducks are different than chickens I didnt know really what I was looking for...other than movement. All of my attempts at duck eggs have been the same. They develop on one side of the egg. Intead of settling and filling in the larger part of the chicken egg leaving an air bubble on top and bottom. On lock down I didnt see how it was possible in the short time until hatch day that they would grow quick like that. It's hard to describe but the long side of the egg was full leaving the rest clear with some veins. I rotated them often too. I wont be doing this again, to stressful!!!! All six are healthy!!!