Are Call Ducks difficult to hatch??

[SundownWaterfowl]

Quote:
You can just keep the eggs in the incubator to mist and cool. Just take the top off the incubator or open the incubator door. They should be incubated with the large end up. Also, hatching them in an egg carton works great. The ducklings dont have to constantly readjust themselves, from being kicked around by the hatched ducklings or rolling around on the floor. They also get out faster.

 

[CindyS]

You want a good egg shaped egg. relativly clean. a nice even color, usually some shade of green. If it is lighter at the end it sometimes mean it is thin shelled. should be about the size of a bantam chicken egg. such as cochin or wyandotte.

 

[TheNewMrsEvans]

Also make sure he writes the dates on them so you know how old they are! I've been setting every Sunday so no egg is older than 7 days, but I've heard up to 10 days is ok...also make sure to tilt the eggs 3x day while waiting in the carton until you set them...and keep them in a cool place like a basement or my cold laundry room

about 50-60F.
Oh and one of mine lays a little green one, the other a big ivory one!
Good Luck!

 

[Feathers Acres]

I could have used this thread 3 months back when I had call
ducks in my bator. Didnt go over to well. Most of them got to about
day 20 and gave up. I had them in a turner.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

I keep my duck eggs for about 7-10 days before I put them in the incubator. I keep them at around 50-55 degrees and turn the a couple times (odd number) a day.

Here is a link to an article I wrote about helping them hatch.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=7443-helping-call-ducks-hatch
I sent it to the National Call Duck Breeders Association (im a member), and they said that they will put it in the next newsletter.

I use an automatic turner, and have had great results, but i have heard that some people prefer to hand turn them 3 times a day.

 

[franella01]

Hi I registered to ask this question!! : ) I just ordered my 11 year old some call duck eggs, he wants to do them as a 4-h project and we can't find any local. In googling incubating call duck eggs I found this forum. I have incubated eggs before but not since 07, I'm setting up the incubater and letting it warm up before the eggs get here and stabalize, I can't recall what humidity duck eggs want? Also since they will have been on a plane should they set a day or two (turning them) in the basement before popping them in the bater? I told him we would be lucky if we get two to hatch, being that I've heard call duck are hard to hatch and adding that we've shipped them. Thanks Sherrie

 

[tonini3059]

I used a turner and all grew fine, but I've had most of mine give up once I helped them out of the shell. How is the egg carton method used? I thought it would stick to the membrane. I start by making a little hole in the egg to see it they pip the membrane, then when they do i slowly begin peeling the shell away so I can wet the membrane and check the veins. Once the veins are dried I begin removing some of the membrane. Most of the time when we get it all of the way out there is still some egg yolk out so we let it lay on the bottom to absorb it...that is where the whole process goes south. They will all be fine in there wiggling around then the next minute they are dead. What am I doing wrong?? I have more eggs coming this week. I have the temp at 99-100 humidity 50-60. I never misted or cooled I think I will try this time for a change. I just don't understand why they are fine then just up and die.
What would the misting and cooling do different?
I should probably give up but I like the challenge!

 

[CindyS]

Please dont assume they need help! Most will hatch on their own if conditions have been met-proper temps and humidity for entire incubation. You are giving them a death sentence by hatching them when their yolk sack has not absorbed! they will bleed to death! I know its hard but leave them alone at hatch time! experienced breeders know when intervention is necessary to help them hatched but it is not necessary in most situations!

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

The egg carton method is when on day 23, you take the eggs and move them into a carton, large end up, just like you do with chicken eggs.

Tonini: try cooling them for 5-10 min a day from day 4 up until they pip the membrane. then mist them sometime during that cool down period with some warm water.

it sounds like you are helping a little too early. i have been doing this for a while, so i can tell how long to wait, etc. if they pip the air sac, and dont have any progress with in 14-18 hours, then I start to help. I just make a small air hole, so they can breath. The air hitting the membrane stimulates the veins and yolk to be absorbed. Then I wait another 6-12 hours. If I hear the peeping slowing down, or becoming not as vigorious, then I help earlier.

CindyS: Call ducks that come from good lines, or from high quality stock, may need to be helped out. Since they have tiny beaks, short necks, and very round heads, they can often pip the air sac, but then cant pip through the shell. If you help to early, then obviously that is not good. But call ducks do need help sometimes. I have never helped a call duck hatch that turned out to either bleed to death, or have some yolk not abosorbed. You said it yourself "Also, alot depends on the quality of the ducks, its the show quality ones that are really hard to hatch and often require help".

here is some more info from a breeder about helping them hatch. http://www.longshadowfarms.com/FAQ.html#hatch

 

[Katy]

Quote:
The reason there's some egg yolk left is because they aren't ready to hatch......give them time to do it on their own. Doing what you're doing is pretty much sealing their fate. Not to be mean, but you need to leave them alone.