6th Annual BYC New Year's Day 2015 Hatch-A-Long

[hennible]

No duck eggs, they are not going to lay until spring... Plus I clued in that my chicks are still going to be in the bator at duck set time.

 

[Roan]

Okay, here's an update about the ducklings, she said the humidity is at 75% in the incubator. The ducklings will peep every once in awhile and wiggle around.

They're not supposed to hatch until Thursday night/Friday morning so they're early so I'm sure they're resting up and preparing for the big day.

Here's what I suggested she do when she originally posted that the air cells were way too small and because she had the humidity set too high.

I suggested that she take the eggs out of the incubator and wrap them in a hot towel, right from the dryer. Then, empty the incubator of any water at all. Then, place the eggs back in and not open it until just before lock down. The only reason I suggested she open it before lock down was to candle the eggs to see if the dryer incubator would allow the excess liquid to sweat out of the eggs and thus increase the air cell.

Was that the right advice? I really didn't know what to tell her but she was pretty desperate and I didn't want her to sit there waiting to hear from someone else in here, feeling that no one was going to help. So I told her what I thought was the logical course of action.

 

[ronott1]

Okay, here's an update about the ducklings, she said the humidity is at 75% in the incubator. The ducklings will peep every once in awhile and wiggle around.

They're not supposed to hatch until Thursday night/Friday morning so they're early so I'm sure they're resting up and preparing for the big day.

Here's what I suggested she do when she originally posted that the air cells were way too small and because she had the humidity set too high.

I suggested that she take the eggs out of the incubator and wrap them in a hot towel, right from the dryer. Then, empty the incubator of any water at all. Then, place the eggs back in and not open it until just before lock down. The only reason I suggested she open it before lock down was to candle the eggs to see if the dryer incubator would allow the excess liquid to sweat out of the eggs and thus increase the air cell.

Was that the right advice? I really didn't know what to tell her but she was pretty desperate and I didn't want her to sit there waiting to hear from someone else in here, feeling that no one was going to help. So I told her what I thought was the logical course of action.

The dryer might damage the egg shells and make the membrane bleed. The duckling will usually absorb enough yolk to hatch ok at the very end. 60% humidity should be fine and help with the air cell size over the last couple of days.

 

[Roan]

Wait, just to be sure we're thinking the same thing. The towels were straight from the dryer. I did not suggest wrapping the eggs in a towel then putting them in the dryer. Just so we're clear. lol

Two of them had pipped this morning and they're the ones that are peeping from time to time and wiggling around some. The humidity as of right now is at 75% so it's still a little high?

 

[ronott1]

Wait, just to be sure we're thinking the same thing. The towels were straight from the dryer. I did not suggest wrapping the eggs in a towel then putting them in the dryer. Just so we're clear. lol

Two of them had pipped this morning and they're the ones that are peeping from time to time and wiggling around some. The humidity as of right now is at 75% so it's still a little high?

Good!

They should hatch fine but Ducklings take a long time to hatch.

 

[draye]

Just 8 more eggs to go and I'll have collected 72. I'll start culling a few eggs that don't look as good and some of the older ones.

 

[Cynthia12]

Just 8 more eggs to go and I'll have collected 72. I'll start culling a few eggs that don't look as good and some of the older ones.

72?

 

[draye]

72?  

Yes 72 eggs. Going to get a couple dozen from someone else and that will bring me to 96 that is whet fits on a rack in my bator. I don't look for all them to hatch though.

 

[blackgoat]

So excited! EEEEEEEEE! My first hatch-a long and my second time incubating. I ordered eggs from simonerol, but they weren't sure if the breeds I wanted would be laying, and my ebay "goth chicken" (cemani mix) egg order got cancelled (grrrrr), so I panicked and ordered some from papa brooder. Now, it looks like I'm getting two orders of eggs for a total of 18, and at least 3 breeds! Yay! Go me! (Needless to say, my husband is less than thrilled) XD

 

[ronott1]

So excited! EEEEEEEEE! My first hatch-a long and my second time incubating. I ordered eggs from simonerol, but they weren't sure if the breeds I wanted would be laying, and my ebay "goth chicken" (cemani mix) egg order got cancelled (grrrrr), so I panicked and ordered some from papa brooder. Now, it looks like I'm getting two orders of eggs for a total of 18, and at least 3 breeds! Yay! Go me! (Needless to say, my husband is less than thrilled) XD

That is great news!