Last Sunday I was called to take 6 Mallard duck eggs to incubate after the mother had gotten killed by an animal. It was after midnight and the eggs had been out there at least two days in 50 degree weather. After hearing that the ducks were left out there for two days in the cold I was pretty sure they were already dead. I didn't want to face the disappointment but had to be sure. It was only 30 minutes away from the town they were in, and I was already on my way home anyway so we picked them up. I knew that I was their second chance and couldn't just leave them there another night. Luckily someone had a small key chain flashlight on them so I quickly candled the eggs. There were veins and tiny embryos! On the way home I cranked the heat and held them up to the vent. The eggs were really cold so I didn't know if they were dead, and the blood was just frozen in the veins. After about just 30 minutes of being exposed to heat they all started bouncing around in their shells! I was so happy, relieved, and thankful that I didn't leave them out in that cold another night!
After just hatching my first eggs after I thought I was done incubating for awhile. My incubator was up in my attic, and by the time I got home it was about 2am. Luckily everything else was set aside and easy to find. I fired it up and like a miracle it was the exact temperature and humidity I needed it to be!
I went to bed surprised and excited about the unexpected new eggs, yet worried they wouldn't survive another heat change. Surprisingly the next morning all were alive and doing well!
Sadly a day later one looked as if the veins were fading, and a day later it died. It was sad to see since I have never experienced a healthy egg die before, only an early blood ring. I was still happy even one survived its harsh start in life!
When I woke up the next morning I candled the eggs quickly while turning them to see if anyone else had died. I was shocked to find a twin egg! It was no doubt about it, two bouncing babies on the left and right side! I'm sure they wont survive, as most twins don't make it to the last few weeks, but I'm thrilled to even see this for the first time! I had suspected a twin egg when I first candled them but brushed the second set of eyes as a shadow.
So, when your temperature drops a few degrees don't panic! This gives me hope that nature really does know what its doing, and we shouldn't be so worried about a temperature rise here and there while artificially incubating them. If my eggs can survive two days of 50 degrees yours can survive a slight drop for a few hours and be perfectly fine.
I'm so excited about my miracle eggs! Hopefully at least one will hatch! Im doing everything I can to give these babies a second chance at life!
After just hatching my first eggs after I thought I was done incubating for awhile. My incubator was up in my attic, and by the time I got home it was about 2am. Luckily everything else was set aside and easy to find. I fired it up and like a miracle it was the exact temperature and humidity I needed it to be!
I went to bed surprised and excited about the unexpected new eggs, yet worried they wouldn't survive another heat change. Surprisingly the next morning all were alive and doing well!
Sadly a day later one looked as if the veins were fading, and a day later it died. It was sad to see since I have never experienced a healthy egg die before, only an early blood ring. I was still happy even one survived its harsh start in life!
When I woke up the next morning I candled the eggs quickly while turning them to see if anyone else had died. I was shocked to find a twin egg! It was no doubt about it, two bouncing babies on the left and right side! I'm sure they wont survive, as most twins don't make it to the last few weeks, but I'm thrilled to even see this for the first time! I had suspected a twin egg when I first candled them but brushed the second set of eyes as a shadow.
So, when your temperature drops a few degrees don't panic! This gives me hope that nature really does know what its doing, and we shouldn't be so worried about a temperature rise here and there while artificially incubating them. If my eggs can survive two days of 50 degrees yours can survive a slight drop for a few hours and be perfectly fine.
I'm so excited about my miracle eggs! Hopefully at least one will hatch! Im doing everything I can to give these babies a second chance at life!
Last edited:
