August Hatch-A-Long

[Mamasaurus]

Thanks Tazbeaux,

Ducks are much the same as chicks except for days to incubate - this is my first time though, both for an incubator and ducks! I have had broody hens do all the work till now! My last hen died of old age a couple of months ago and my H has always wanted ducks, so he jumped at the chance to collect eggs and borrowed an incubator!!

I think being able to see what is happening is worse because you can watch!! Usually little chicks just arrive one morning when I go to feed mama!

Yes, it is a still air, I hadn't thought that they may be why a higher temp was suggested so that's something to think about if these don't work out! Back to waiting and hoping for little ones to coo over real soon!

 

[Tazbeaux]

For chicks in a still air incubator it is recommended that the temp be 102 at the top of the eggs. In a circulated air, the temp should be around 100. You might want to raise the temp a little and keep your fingers crossed. The eggs may take a day or so longer to hatch since the temps were a little low. Oh and BTW, welcome to the thread.

 

[kada6305]

Day 7.last candling until day 18. All are developing

 

[darkbluespace]

Day 7.last candling until day 18. All are developing

Awesome!!

 

[Mamasaurus]

For chicks in a still air incubator it is recommended that the temp be 102 at the top of the eggs. In a circulated air, the temp should be around 100. You might want to raise the temp a little and keep your fingers crossed. The eggs may take a day or so longer to hatch since the temps were a little low. Oh and BTW, welcome to the thread.

Thanks for the welcome!!!

I'm a step with you - I've already raised the temp one degree - don't want to go overboard and kill them! I figured you might be right and it's too cool, so here's hoping - can't hear any quackling so perhaps they are too cold!!

 

[Sylviaanne]

I just candled my eggs that I washed with diluted bleach water. They have been incubating since 7/31, first candling at day 2, to look for air sacks. Next candling was at day 8 and of the 33 that I washed 10 of them are the same today as they were on the 8th, the others have shown improvement or seem to have gone backwards. I did not check them on the 10th day nor the 14th day. Today is 15 days in incubation and I have had to remove 18 eggs. 18 from 33 and I don't know if they were not fertilized or if the bleach wash kept them from developing.

Does anyone know: if you can see veining early on but the veins seem to be gone later, can that happen? I was using a 101 lumen flashlight on the 8th and bought one with 360 lumens tonight. Is it possible to see veins with a weaker flashlight than with a stronger one? My notes don't indicate that I wasn't sure I saw veins, otherwise I would have put a question mark beside it.

I also have 6 eggs from under a broody in the incubator and they all have veining and movement in them. I have to look under her tomorrow and see if there are more than the 8 that should be there. If the other hens keep laying under her, I will have a very staggered hatch.

 

[darkbluespace]

This has been such a fun thread! A few weeks ago everyone was talking about their eggs and what they hoped to get. Then we were talking about the candling results, seeing veins and embryos. Then sadness for the early quitters and non pippers. Now we are starting to see the beautiful little chicks that made it.

I have followed all of you through it and lived it myself. I started with 26 eggs and am now down to 10 strong ones. I sure hope that next week at this time I will be showing off my new little flock to all of you. Happy Hatching! I LOVE BYC

Me too!!

The only thing better than hatching eggs is having friends to share it with!

You know, since everyone here thinks my hatching obsession is pretty nuts ; )

 

[Mamasaurus]

I am just wondering - the one egg that has pipped slightly, should I leave that be? Will it have enough air in there?? Hope so! It's been about 17 hours since it cracked the surface - no real hole.

 

[Mamasaurus]

I just candled my eggs that I washed with diluted bleach water. They have been incubating since 7/31, first candling at day 2, to look for air sacks. Next candling was at day 8 and of the 33 that I washed 10 of them are the same today as they were on the 8th, the others have shown improvement or seem to have gone backwards. I did not check them on the 10th day nor the 14th day. Today is 15 days in incubation and I have had to remove 18 eggs. 18 from 33 and I don't know if they were not fertilized or if the bleach wash kept them from developing.


Does anyone know: if you can see veining early on but the veins seem to be gone later, can that happen? I was using a 101 lumen flashlight on the 8th and bought one with 360 lumens tonight. Is it possible to see veins with a weaker flashlight than with a stronger one? My notes don't indicate that I wasn't sure I saw veins, otherwise I would have put a question mark beside it.


I also have 6 eggs from under a broody in the incubator and they all have veining and movement in them. I have to look under her tomorrow and see if there are more than the 8 that should be there. If the other hens keep laying under her, I will have a very staggered hatch.

Yes veins can happen and then 'disappear' with early quitters.

 

[Sylviaanne]

This has been such a fun thread! A few weeks ago everyone was talking about their eggs and what they hoped to get. Then we were talking about the candling results, seeing veins and embryos. Then sadness for the early quitters and non pippers. Now we are starting to see the beautiful little chicks that made it.

I have followed all of you through it and lived it myself. I started with 26 eggs and am now down to 10 strong ones. I sure hope that next week at this time I will be showing off my new little flock to all of you. Happy Hatching! I LOVE BYC

What day are yours due? Mine are due 8/21.