Are Call Ducks difficult to hatch??

[LilDucky85]

I will be hatching call ducks this Spring, and upon doing my usual research I came across that they are often difficult to hatch? This is the first time I read this, and now I'm worried. Can anyone share their experience, and opinion on this?

Also, what temperature, moisture level, etc. worked best for you with call ducks? The more information you provide the better! Thank you!

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

Quote:
They are difficult to hatch. make sure that you mist the eggs everday from day 4 up until they pip. Also, cool them every day from day 4 up until they pip for about 5-10 min.

 

[Katy]

Yes, they're difficult to hatch. I gave up trying and just let the hens hatch the ducklings and then I take them away to raise.

 

[Mrs. Turbo]

We never cool our call ducks eggs. Call duck eggs also don't do well in egg turners. You need to lay them on their sides and turn 3-4 times a day by hand.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

Mrs. Turbo :

We never cool our call ducks eggs. Call duck eggs also don't do well in egg turners. You need to lay them on their sides and turn 3-4 times a day by hand.

i use a brinsea and its set up on a turner. last year i got 7 out of 8 to hatch.​

 

[Mrs. Turbo]

I guess everyone just finds what works for them......

 

[LilDucky85]

That's not fair, and I was so excited to hatch them this Spring. With my first (and well only attempt so far) I left the mystery duck eggs on top of a small towel in the incubator. The ends of the towel were rolled up to form a little boat for them to lean on. I'd mist them regularly, and they seemed to just do fine until I accidently killed them

Does misting them on a towl cause too much direct mositure to the eggs? I thought duck eggs were point down, and turned 180 degrees?

 

[CindyS]

Hello fellow Illinoisan! Dont be discouraged! I hatch my calls in a thermostat controlled incubator hand turn 3 times a day, mist 3 times a day, Hatch rate is around 50% but that includes non fertiles. If I would hatch my best eggs, the percentage would be better, but I sell alot of call eggs and the customers get the best eggs, I incubate the eggs I cant and wont sell. Also, alot depends on the quality of the ducks, its the show quality ones that are really hard to hatch and often require help. Do you have your own parent stock or are you getting the eggs from someone?

 

[TheNewMrsEvans]

Just listen to Sundown! I did and I have 5 ducklings now

I've had to help all but 1 and should have helped another one, but was too slow

They pretty much all need a little help...but they are so worth it!

 

[LilDucky85]

Thank you so much! I will try my best!

CindyS, will you be my Illinoisan Mentor?? I'm just buying my eggs from a local farm for $2 per egg. I know nothing about eggs so I have no clue how good they are. The farm is very clean, and well maintained so I'm confident with them. I believe they are mainly crop farmers, and breeders of domestic animals. Is there any way to tell good eggs from just ok eggs?

Did anyone see my question about using the towel for the eggs to rest on?