any advice on lockdown?

[abidaby]

Thank you!! And thank you so so much for all of you help!!! I'm so happy!!!! Just three more to go...
I take it the other five aren't going to hatch now

 

[WVduckchick]

Thank you!! And thank you so so much for all of you help!!! I'm so happy!!!! Just three more to go...
I take it the other five aren't going to hatch now

No problem! I enjoy this! Sometimes we just need a little hand-holding to keep composure, and share the excitement.

What do you mean, the other five aren't going to hatch now? Like right now, or at all?

 

[abidaby]

I certainly needed it !!
I had 10, 2 have hatched and I still have 3 pips but the other 5 don't have external pips

 

[WVduckchick]

*Usually* you can start the clock from the time the first one hatches (not pips, but actually hatches) and the last will hatch within 48 hours. Ducks sometimes a while longer. So, even though some have hatched and others have not pipped, they still have time! For example, they could pip in the next few hours, and hatch 12 hours later, and still be well within the "normal" window. They may just want to stay in the shell a bit longer. Don't count them out yet!

 

[abidaby]

Oh there's still hope then!! That would take them to 31 days, I will definitely keep them in there. Me speaking to them and playing them YouTube clips seemed work to get them out. They're shipped eggs too, I've heard that they usually take longer to hatch. When can I take the hatched ones out and put them in the brooder? Have yours all hatched now?

 

[WVduckchick]

Isn't it cool how they react to the sounds and stuff?

You can take them out pretty much any time. Humidity is the main concern. As long as you do it quickly, and don't let the humidity all escape too badly, you can pull them whenever there is a lull in the action. Just do it quickly, but carefully. Active pips can tend to dry out a little if you leave the incubator open too long. Some will tell you to NEVER open it while in "lockdown", and you can go that route if you prefer, but I personally open mine when I feel its necessary. Especially when they start rolling the eggs all over the place! (this normally doesn't bother the other eggs, but I just hate them being upside down, or worrying about not being able to watch the pip spot)

I have 3 chicks hatched in one incubator with 5 pips, so I left them for the day and came to work. But the other incubator, I've already removed chicks and have 4 eggs that I suspect are dead, but left it turned on. They were shipped also, and had a rough trip. I also have a broody hatching half of my eggs. She has hatched 2 and has 2 to go!

Editing to add -- they can also stay in the incubator for well over 24 hours, if necessary, so don't feel rushed to get them out, unless you just want to!

 

[abidaby]

Thank you for all of that info, you're very helpful. Another has just hatched!!!

 

[WVduckchick]

 

[Miss Lydia]

@abidaby Congrats!! looking forward to seeing your new babies..

 

[abidaby]

Thank you!!! They're so cute!!! 4 have hatched now. There's one that hasn't really made any progress, externally pipped but no noise or movement!