Call Ducks Finally Hatched

[Lacrystol]

I keep mine at 60% humidity and increase it to 65% at lockdown. I usually have over 60% hatch with my humidity there.
I NEVER spray eggs though

HUM, I bet if you lowered it and mist them, your hatching rate would increase, you might be able to hit 90-95. 60 is bad if these are your own eggs, if they are shipped eggs, that's a pretty good count.

 

[Berry1177]

Understood. In my first attempt I followed Storey's Guide which called for a higher humidity and spraying the eggs. I will try again next Spring using your method.
The two that did hatch are doing well. Definitely ducks with personalities.
Thank you very much for your help.
Berry

 

[learycow]

HUM, I bet if you lowered it and mist them, your hatching rate would increase, you might be able to hit 90-95.  60 is bad if these are your own eggs, if they are shipped eggs, that's a pretty good count.

Misting NEVER helps for me. With any waterfowl eggs. It always drowns them and ends up being way too much moisture

 

[Aliciahess]

What's it mean when you say the air sac has dipped? First time with an incubator.

 

[Lacrystol]

...

Misting NEVER helps for me. With any waterfowl eggs. It always drowns them and ends up being way too much moisture[/quote


when I would mist its barely wet, although when i sponged them and let the water dribble off the eggs I never added water.

 

[Lacrystol]

What's it mean when you say the air sac has dipped? First time with an incubator.

Dipping is when the air cell tilts to one side. This usually occurs three days before hatching day.

With shipped eggs it can be a little more tricky to spot because sometimes the air cell gets messed up so you may see a different shape but it will still dip.

 

[Aliciahess]

Okay. Thanks, that helps me know what to look for.

 

[clousert]

...

Misting NEVER helps for me. With any waterfowl eggs. It always drowns them and ends up being way too much moisture[/quote


when I would mist its barely wet, although when i sponged them and let the water dribble off the eggs I never added water.

I do not add any water to the incubator during the first 23 days. I mist the eggs 3 times a day with incubator temperature water (small spray bottle stays inside the incubator) when I turn them. It stays around 30% humidity and jumps to around 50% for about an hour after I turn and mist them. At lockdown I add a small dish of water to raise humidity to 65-70%. I have my last babies for the season in the incubator right now. 5 hatched this weekend, 4 in lockdown and 4 that will go into lockdown this weekend. All my girls have finally quit laying for the year.

I will be moving a little closer to you next year Lori . NC is the plan at the moment. You'll have to come get some blue magpies

 

[Lacrystol]

OMG NOOOO WAY!!!
Did someone say mmmmmmmaaaaaggggggggggpppppppppppiiiiiiieeeeeeeeee!!!!

 

[Amykins]

Magpie? Where?? I want one!!