Da' Cute and Cuddly Call Duck thread!

[mlbroad]

Does anyone know of anyone in Virginia that sells calls at a good price.

 

[Amykins]

Guys...I just candled my eggs today, and the one that was due to hatch is gone. No movement and the tissues inside are beginning to deteriorate. The other 2 eggs that were set to hatch at the end of the month have quit on me, too.

That makes a 100% failure rate for Bean's eggs. I don't understand. Do you...do you think maybe there's something wrong genetically? I know she has a very unusual and extremely rare color gene, but do you think possibly that she's a carrier for something that's just not genetically viable? Or do you think that it's just because of the fact that she's so young, her eggs aren't structurally sound, or something? I wish I knew.

I don't have the heart to open up the sole developed egg to see what the color may have been. I'll let you guys know later on today.

 

[Buck Oakes]

Amy have u incubated before, besides wobbles?

 

[Buck Oakes]

Amy the veins and other stuff disappear a way into development, like for my Muscovies when they're. About a week or sometimes even 2 weeks before hatch I can't see everything as clearly

 

[learycow]

Guys...I just candled my eggs today, and the one that was due to hatch is gone. No movement and the tissues inside are beginning to deteriorate. The other 2 eggs that were set to hatch at the end of the month have quit on me, too.

That makes a 100% failure rate for Bean's eggs. I don't understand. Do you...do you think maybe there's something wrong genetically? I know she has a very unusual and extremely rare color gene, but do you think possibly that she's a carrier for something that's just not genetically viable? Or do you think that it's just because of the fact that she's so young, her eggs aren't structurally sound, or something? I wish I knew.

I don't have the heart to open up the sole developed egg to see what the color may have been. I'll let you guys know later on today.

Hmm... the first thing that comes to mind is diet. I know from hatching experience that top quality feed and diets are key to healthy embryos and easier hatches.
What is Bean getting on a daily basis? Can you think of anything she (or the drake) may be lacking?

Personally, I don't find age to make a difference in hatchability. So I doubt it's due to these being some of her first eggs.

Any chance maybe it could be your incubator? Do you have any extra thermometers you could put in there to be sure it's set where it needs to be? Or isn't fluctuating?

 

[AmandaVirginia]

Guys...I just candled my eggs today, and the one that was due to hatch is gone. No movement and the tissues inside are beginning to deteriorate. The other 2 eggs that were set to hatch at the end of the month have quit on me, too.

That makes a 100% failure rate for Bean's eggs. I don't understand. Do you...do you think maybe there's something wrong genetically? I know she has a very unusual and extremely rare color gene, but do you think possibly that she's a carrier for something that's just not genetically viable? Or do you think that it's just because of the fact that she's so young, her eggs aren't structurally sound, or something? I wish I knew. 

I don't have the heart to open up the sole developed egg to see what the color may have been. I'll let you guys know later on today.

I know the way Bean looks is rare but I'm almost certain her & Wobbles babies would only either be black bibbed, white, or blue bibbed. And, her age has absolutely nothing to do with the hatch rate. She's actually at the perfect age and in her prime to be able to lay hatchable eggs. So, to answer your question I don't believe it's age or genetic. Sometimes hatch rates are 100%, sometimes hatch rates are 50%, sometimes hatch rates are 0%. Unfortunately that's just how it goes. I'm sorry for your loses, Amy.

Buck, I'm not new to this. I know how it works. The egg in question is most definitely dead. I've had 100% viability up til now and a 70% hatch rate for show-quality calls - I'm no slouch. The last thing I need is someone calling into question my skill and knowledge. So, thanks for that. I'm really feeling tip-top now.

I know you're upset right now but I really do think he was only trying to help you...

 

[AmandaVirginia]

@Amykins 'No such thing as a Calico Call. Well, not really. I have a pet-quality Call drake that I suppose you could call "Calico", but he's actually a Blue Bibbed that's heterozygous for extended black, so he's "leaking" Blue Fawn patches through the Blue. He's mis-marked, that's all. It's not a color you could breed for, it's not stable. Just a oddity that cropped up.'


This is a quote from another BYCer that has a Call duck looking identical to Bean! So, I hope this helps to decipher her color options!

 

[Amykins]

Hmm... the first thing that comes to mind is diet. I know from hatching experience that top quality feed and diets are key to healthy embryos and easier hatches.
What is Bean getting on a daily basis? Can you think of anything she (or the drake) may be lacking?

Personally, I don't find age to make a difference in hatchability. So I doubt it's due to these being some of her first eggs.

Any chance maybe it could be your incubator? Do you have any extra thermometers you could put in there to be sure it's set where it needs to be? Or isn't fluctuating?

They get mazuri pellets, a good quality feed. She also gets lots of fresh fruits and veggies and oyster shell to her heart's content. My incubator is top of the line too, and has in the past given me a stellar hatch rate. I had two thermometers and two hygrometers and it has been nothing less than pitch-perfect.

I lost my job, then my marriage, then my home, and now my babies. I'm going to lose Wobbles and Bean when I move away from here, the only home I've known since 2008, as well.

Edited by staff

 

[learycow]

They get mazuri pellets, a good quality feed. She also gets lots of fresh fruits and veggies and oyster shell to her heart's content. My incubator is top of the line too, and has in the past given me a stellar hatch rate. I had two thermometers and two hygrometers and it has been nothing less than pitch-perfect.

I lost my job, then my marriage, then my home, and now my babies. I'm going to lose Wobbles and Bean when I move away from here, the only home I've known since 2008, as well.

Aww Sounds like you need a change in your luck!
I have the same luck. When one thing goes wrong, ten other things follow in it's path all at once. It can be hard to stay positive but I always try and keep my chin up. Give yourself something to look forward to and as a way to start fresh. Like if you are having a bad month, keep telling yourself "only 21 more days of February then I can start anew in March!"

It sounds like your babies are very well kept and your incubator is top notch. I wouldn't say it's YOU, I would just say you've got yourself into a bad string of luck and just need to wait it out and try again You WILL get those darn babies to hatch! If they are growing and vein properly then it's just mother nature taking its course for whatever reason she has. Maybe switch it up a little if you can and put a couple under a broody hen if you can get your hands on one? That's what I just did with my ancona eggs. They have been laying well since December but fertility in my incubator has been below 25% with every single batch of eggs. I haven't seen much going on with my drakes so just figured they aren't active yet.
Well I put 3 eggs under each of my broody silkie hens 5 days ago. I just candled them tonight and 5 of the 6 are veining

So just give yourself a breather, try to get through the hard times as quick as you possibly can, and try again!

 

[PotatoWaffles]

I'm sorry you've lost your ducklings. I know it is very hard. Everyone is just trying to be helpful and supportive and offer their insights to try and help you. Nobody would be scolding you during a time like this I wouldn't give up on Bean's eggs just yet. Sometimes these things just happen. I'm sure she could be a mama yet. I wish you the best during this hard time in your life. Keep your chin up, girly