4 Call ducks day 25 tomorrow. I don't know what I'm doing wrong..

[Bobbielyn2020LittleLake]

The past 2 years I can not get a call duckling to hatch. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. For 4 years I had no issues, I lost a few. Had to assist hatch probably a fourth of them. But out of 68 eggs in that 4 years, I lost 5, and assisted 27. I can not get them past a small external pip. I won't go in after them until they had tried for what I think is long enough usually 24 to 30 hours after the pip. Unless I can see them struggling. Well I used to lock mine down at 24 days and by day 26 they were hatching. Day 27 I would start helping if needed. Well I've been reading everything I can find on call ducks and now people just have me all messed up. When do I lock them down ? What humidity should they be at ? I've been reading and told so many different things I don't know what to think..

 

[Debbie292d]

My understanding of it is they are just like chickens... 40-50% humidity until lockdown, then up to 70. Temp 99.5 the whole time. Lockdown 3 days prior to hatch day. Turner on until lockdown.

I did my neighbor's pekins like that just fine.