Are my duck eggs close to hatching?

[CluckYeah8908]

My ducklings aren’t due till January 5th but have been rolling around in the egg. Are they going to hatch sooner? Should I go ahead and put them on lock down? They are Cayuga/Pekin mix.

 

[Brahmachicken240]

No lock down is on day 25!
No earlier than that

 

[Urbanduckfarmer]

What kind of duck eggs are they? I've had muscovy ducks hatch day 32 and pekins and other calls on day 27. Standard temps, but if too warm may accelerate the development. What day are yours on?

 

[Brahmachicken240]

What kind of duck eggs are they? I've had muscovy ducks hatch day 32 and pekins and other calls on day 27. Standard temps, but if too warm may accelerate the development. What day are yours on?

The OP has stated that they are a Cayuga/Pekin mix. Mallard derived ducks take 28 days to hatch where as Muscovy ducks take 35 days to hatch. Lock down for mallard derived ducks is day 25 and for Muscovy it’s day 32. Do you know what temp your incubator was on to end up with an early hatch ?

 

[Urbanduckfarmer]

It was a still air running at 101. This was for the mallards. The muscovy were hatched under a broody.

 

[Urbanduckfarmer]

Just like with all birds, there are exceptions to the guide we set for hatching bird eggs. They can hatch early or late, the chicks have no clock to base their hatching on. They hatch when they are developed and are ready.

 

[CluckYeah8908]

The OP has stated that they are a Cayuga/Pekin mix. Mallard derived ducks take 28 days to hatch where as Muscovy ducks take 35 days to hatch. Lock down for mallard derived ducks is day 25 and for Muscovy it’s day 32. Do you know what temp your incubator was on to end up with an early hatch ?

The incubator is on 37.5 C. One duck has internally pipped. The due date was just an educated guess based on candling. I originally found the eggs under the momma but she was nesting in an unsafe place and I was scared if I moved her she would abandon them so I took them inside and put them in my incubator.

 

[Kkrista123]

The incubator is on 37.5 C. One duck has internally pipped. The due date was just an educated guess based on candling. I originally found the eggs under the momma but she was nesting in an unsafe place and I was scared if I moved her she would abandon them so I took them inside and put them in my incubator.

Then it might be lock down time!

 

[Brahmachicken240]

Just like with all birds, there are exceptions to the guide we set for hatching bird eggs. They can hatch early or late, the chicks have no clock to base their hatching on. They hatch when they are developed and are ready.

I have never heard of eggs hatching 4 days early under a broody

I've had muscovy ducks hatch day 32

However I have heard of incubated eggs hatching earlier than expected not to mention later....

 

[Urbanduckfarmer]

Shouldn't be long now and you'll have baby ducks!