Desperately Trying to Hatch Ducklings

[Jennifer Cappi Williams]

Of course I couldn’t resist putting only one or two eggs on the candler this morning and I swear I one I saw the little redder formation moving a little. It’s still so tiny but it almost looked like a beating heart and it made me so excited. I’m trying not to get my hopes up though.

I dropped off the remainder of the eggs (about 12) to my friends farm and her chicken instantly sat on them and covered them all up. Those were the ones I thought were older but we’ll see what happens! I know success rates rapidly decline after day 1,2,3 but has anyone ever had luck hatching older eggs?

Yes, the two that are working their way out of the shell right now were in a cold garage for well over a week before I got them. They were in a dormant stage and 2 of the three are hatching while only one of the 3 were gotten right from under the dead mum duck hatched. (the ones from the garage I got three days later so they are three, maybe four days behind)

 

[ColleenRyan]

Oldest egg I hatched was 19, 20, or 21 days old (I don't remember).

That gives me hope!!

 

[Jennifer Cappi Williams]

OMG.... I had two eggs left. One who was doing so good and could put his full bill out to breathe was dead. His egg filled up with liquid. I should of helped him out but I was trying to let things happen naturally. Well it did for that one. It died. The other one I took matter into my own hands and unzipped it and it pushed its way out in my hands. No issues look to be with that one. OMG I feel bad for the other one. It was needed help and I didn't help it.

 

[Jennifer Cappi Williams]

I just did an "egg autopsy". Looks like he ruptured the yolk sack inside the confines of the shell. Drowned in yolk and its belly still very open. I guess anything short of a duck surgeon during the hatch would not of helped...

 

[Miss Lydia]

So sorry

How the one doing?

 

[ColleenRyan]

I just did an "egg autopsy". Looks like he ruptured the yolk sack inside the confines of the shell. Drowned in yolk and its belly still very open. I guess anything short of a duck surgeon during the hatch would not of helped...

oh no that sounds awful I'm so sorry. how is the ducky who made it doing?

 

[ColleenRyan]

for some reason the lid on my incubator becomes ajar sometimes and I have no idea why! i posted a link earlier in the thread of what incubator I have. I ended up putting a heavy candle on it this morning to make sure it stays because when the lid even moves a little the humidity drops to the 30%s. I instantly put more water in and raise it as soon as i see it, though. My question was will this be a huge terrible factor when it comes to the ducklings? I swear i saw at least one heartbeat in one egg and I put them in the incubator late tuesday night.

 

[BantyChooks]

for some reason the lid on my incubator becomes ajar sometimes and I have no idea why! i posted a link earlier in the thread of what incubator I have. I ended up putting a heavy candle on it this morning to make sure it stays because when the lid even moves a little the humidity drops to the 30%s. I instantly put more water in and raise it as soon as i see it, though. My question was will this be a huge terrible factor when it comes to the ducklings? I swear i saw at least one heartbeat in one egg and I put them in the incubator late tuesday night.

I run 30% the whole time.

 

[cppeace]

When I hatched ducks I kept it 38-48%. Any that made it to develop past day 9 hatched. I raised the temp the last few days to 45-55%.
Just info to compare. Every area and incubator is different.

 

[Jennifer Cappi Williams]

oh no that sounds awful I'm so sorry. how is the ducky who made it doing?

The one who came three days ago with the unabsorbed yolk is fit as fiddle. I think it will fall off soon. The other egg that I went ahead and assisted with this morning produced a beautiful little ducky with pink feet. (the other has spotty feet). Now I am all done with eggs and can enjoy the fluff butts. Two eggs to hatch out of six from a dead mama duck... I am just glad we have them.