Call eggs approaching lockdown

[strawberry_bat]

Of the original 12 shipped eggs, I have 5 that are alive and healthy looking now at day 17. Three were infertile, three quit early on, and I lost an embryo two days ago but that air cell seemed severely damaged to begin with.

I have lockdown as occuring in 6 days, on day 23. Is this correct for call duck eggs?

 

[chickens really]

@Ravynscroft

 

[Ravynscroft]

Of the original 12 shipped eggs, I have 5 that are alive and healthy looking now at day 17. Three were infertile, three quit early on, and I lost an embryo two days ago but that air cell seemed severely damaged to begin with.

I have lockdown as occuring in 6 days, on day 23. Is this correct for call duck eggs?

Day 23 is correct... or even day 2w... how do the air cells look? Humidity? Been sponging them?

Also, just fyi, in shipped clears can be due to unviable as compared to infertile...

 

[strawberry_bat]

Thank you both

Ravynscroft, unviable wouldn't surprise me either. The air cells were a mess in most of the eggs when they arrived. I was happy to even get 50% to day 14. The cell in the one that recently died was fractured and bubbly. I had kept that guy upright in an egg carton with the bottom removed for air flow, but I assume there was more damage.

The cells of the remaining eggs are on track except for one, which has always had a saddle-shape cell that is a bit larger than the others, but it's not detached. So far, the duckling inside seems ok and is percolating along. I hand turn them 3-5 times a day and mist them once a day. Humidity hovers around 40% and temp is stable at 99.5 f in my Magicfly. I have two different combined hygro/thermometers and a glass thermometer sitting in there...maybe overkill, but I'm thankful for them since the Magicfly's built in temp reading would've cooked them if I had trusted it.

The wealth of info here warned me about that and I am so thankful for you all. Fingers crossed these five make it out, but I'm not counting my eggs before they hatch (and I'm aware that calls are also a bit more difficult!)

 

[Ravynscroft]

Also depends on your source of eggs as to how difficult they are as well... upright might not have saved that egg, just fyi... Calls do not do well upright, even bad shape shipped eggs I lay down immediately... better results for me at least... 40% isn't bad, I go for 30% and no higher than 40%...

Got my for you!

 

[strawberry_bat]

Thanks! And, good to know that about calls. We're super dry here so attempting to get it lower than 40% doesn't seem to work...the minimal amount of water I need to theoretically maintain that evaporates instantly and it's no good. Next time I'm thinking I could employ a small in-room humidfyer, perhaps?

I'll keep updating! Hoping for at least two little babies in a week or so!!

 

[strawberry_bat]

Okay, so these eggs have been in lockdown for three days. Three of them wiggle around. However, they all have yet to pip internally or anywhere for that matter. This morning when I checked on them, I was so distraught I picked one up to candle it in my hand (I normally don't remove them to do so), and I could feel the duckling moving around. Same for another I experimentally picked up. I carefully put them back exactly how I found them.

So, humidity is around 70 and temp is steady. Are they going to be ok? I would've thought I'd at least see an internal pip by now.

 

[chickens really]

I am for 60% humidity...As Ravynscroft had advised me....During lock down...Sounds like your ducklings are getting into position....Keep waiting....

 

[Ravynscroft]

Okay, so these eggs have been in lockdown for three days. Three of them wiggle around. However, they all have yet to pip internally or anywhere for that matter. This morning when I checked on them, I was so distraught I picked one up to candle it in my hand (I normally don't remove them to do so), and I could feel the duckling moving around. Same for another I experimentally picked up. I carefully put them back exactly how I found them.

So, humidity is around 70 and temp is steady. Are they going to be ok? I would've thought I'd at least see an internal pip by now.

Has the air cell drawn down?

 

[strawberry_bat]

Yep, the air cells take up a substantial part of all of the eggs and match the diagrams floating around. This morning I *think* I see some internal pips but it's hard for an amateur like me to tell. I can definitely see the bill tapping into/against the membrane in at least one egg. All 5 still seem alright...I'm hopeful for an uneventful hatch, but wondering why they seem a bit behind schedule unless I completely miscounted the days.