Da' Cute and Cuddly Call Duck thread!

[Cynthia12]

Use still air for the ducks if you have it. Then humidity can be only 60% & be ok.

Oh good..that's what I am using. Thanks!

 

[Cynthia12]

Good Grief! I have a pip! And, others are rocking! I candled them all today...eek. They should have been left in there. This pip is weird..have you ever seen one have a pip that is inward..and then the egg is cracked along each side? The baby must have hit that shell hard! I didn't drop any, for sure. So, just a weird pip..at least for me..I hatch chicks, the pips are always poked out. :/ ?? I'll see if I can get a photo though the top.





I had my hubby hold the flash light at a better angle for me..here are a couple more photos..

 

[Fowl Menagerie]

I know a lot of people do not like to help chicks or ducklings hatch, but my experience with hatching call ducklings is that many times I must assist the ducks out of the shell. If your duck has already made his complete turn around the shell and cannot get out on its own, I would open the egg and get it out. If you cannot tell if the baby has already rotated , you can make a small hole just to the left of the first opening. If the membrane still bleeds, stop as the duck is not ready. Hope they do alright on their own and you do not have to assist because you have to be sure they are ready or they could bleed to death or be weakened by the loss of blood. good luck

 

[Cynthia12]

I know a lot of people do not like to help chicks or ducklings hatch, but my experience with hatching call ducklings is that many times I must assist the ducks out of the shell. If your duck has already made his complete turn around the shell and cannot get out on its own, I would open the egg and get it out. If you cannot tell if the baby has already rotated , you can make a small hole just to the left of the first opening. If the membrane still bleeds, stop as the duck is not ready. Hope they do alright on their own and you do not have to assist because you have to be sure they are ready or they could bleed to death or be weakened by the loss of blood. good luck

I don't mind helping at all..have helped many a chick. I have thought maybe I will have to help some of these babies.
But...now, I'm thinking, I did this! I tapped the egg. I must have done this. Those eggs still have a bit of room in there, and, the vessels are still very thick and large, and, when I candled yesterday, I did not see any internal pips, in any of them. The air sac is beginning to drop. Pretty close here. Will have to keep checking for the internal pip. I hope this baby doesn't shrink wrap with that big of a crack in it..so far it's good.still rocking.

 

[BlackBrookPoultry]

I had a predator chase one of my call hens off of the nest last week. Two if her eggs got really cracked. I've poured wax on them and they are continuing to develop. The one egg had about a nickel size spot that has been smashed in. Not sure if they'll even make it to lock-down, but its worth a try. And I imagine if they do, I'll have to assist with the hatch. There's no way they can get through all that wax on the one side of their shell.

 

[Cynthia12]

I had a predator chase one of my call hens off of the nest last week. Two if her eggs got really cracked. I've poured wax on them and they are continuing to develop. The one egg had about a nickel size spot that has been smashed in. Not sure if they'll even make it to lock-down, but its worth a try. And I imagine if they do, I'll have to assist with the hatch. There's no way they can get through all that wax on the one side of their shell.

I am wondering if that was there when I got the eggs, and just didn't notice. It very well could have happened during the attack. Good luck with yours. I candled today, the baby is still alive. I don't think I will put anything on it at this point. It seems to be doing ok. I guess I could worry about shrink wrap, but will just leave it and see what happens. It's the guessing part here that is killing me. They are looking more full, I am guessing, they only have a week if that left. The person that brought them only said..I .. think..she's been on them for about two weeks. Then I candled! Wow, more than two weeks! Will just have to watch for an internal pip, go from there. Or, if I hear chirping before I open the lid..will start listening for that. Keep seeing the eggs moving.

 

[Cynthia12]

I have an internal pip on three eggs..no more touching now..do they stay in lock down for three days like the chicks?


Same egg, but two others look the same, including the one that is cracked.

 

[minihorse927]

I have an internal pip on three eggs..no more touching now..do they stay in lock down for three days like the chicks? Same egg, but two others look the same, including the one that is cracked.

yes, leave them closed up now. You should see 12to24 hours to external pip and another 12 to 24 to hatch.

 

[Cynthia12]

yes, leave them closed up now. You should see 12to24 hours to external pip acne another 12 to 24 to hatch.

Thank you, good to know, won't be too worried it's taking so long. I have the humidity around 72..to 75 now. Good?

 

[minihorse927]

It depends on your area but I usually only raise mine to 60 or 65. I get any higher they seem to drown.