Desperately Trying to Hatch Ducklings

[Mrichard0930]

I’m am so excited for you ! I literally read your post and that is exactly what I was on here for a month ago. My pair were attacked and killed and I only had five eggs quick went out got incubator but by day 10 there was no signs of development they must not have been fertile eggs. I wanted the same thing as you they were my first ducks and I wanted so badly to hatch their babies. I’m crossing my fingers for you it seems like everything is going so well.

 

[ColleenRyan]

I’m am so excited for you ! I literally read your post and that is exactly what I was on here for a month ago. My pair were attacked and killed and I only had five eggs quick went out got incubator but by day 10 there was no signs of development they must not have been fertile eggs. I wanted the same thing as you they were my first ducks and I wanted so badly to hatch their babies. I’m crossing my fingers for you it seems like everything is going so well.

I’m so sorry to hear that I can so relate and it’s devatating. Predators are acting extra odd this season I think it has to do with the 90 one day 40 the next day weather NJ has been having (that’s where I’m located). I’m on day 8 now and I see some viable ones look like they are what people call “early quitters” but I’m wondering if by day 8 the veining is harder to see and the dark part is more visible. I’m just having trouble figuring out if they’re ok or if I’m doing something wrong!

 

[ColleenRyan]

Update with new photos: some I absolutely know are not developing, one was one of my most developed and I think it quit for some reason (I hope it doesn’t have to do with when the rotation tray cracked an egg and I had to clean everything out) others are more lively and moving!

The first photo— clearly nothing going on in there.
The second few photos— more lively and movement is seen.
The next few photos— this is egg #13 and I swore it was a super egg. However now I see a black mass which I’m assuming is the embryo and no movement unless I move the egg. And I’m curious as to if that’s a blood ring forming? Of course I’ll wait until day 10 to dispose of any quitters just in case but I just wanted more opinions of it this egg has given up on me.
The last few photos— #8 snuck up on me with its development. It was nowhere near as bouncy and lovely as #13 on Friday. It’s weird, almost like they’re all developing differently.

I’m feeling hopeful but very defeated at the same time because the process hasn’t been easy with the cracked egg and regulating temp and humidity after I had to clean all that up. I’m tehing to stay positive and think “day 8! Only twenty to go!” But I also know so much can happen in twenty days AND i have to go to a wedding 9 hours away on Memorial Day weekend and teach my house sitter how to care for these VERY fragile babies. Honestly I wish I could take them with me but that’s just crazy.

 

[WVduckchick]

What we need is a cheat sheet that lists incubators and their basic features.

Sounds like a job for Kiki.

 

[ColleenRyan]

Sounds like a job for Kiki.

I would have LOVED a cheat sheet but this forum has been beyond helpful so far. I’m going to keep posting on this thread so if anyone else is going through the same thing they can watch the thread and hopefully all their questions will be answered! (Because I really ask a lot of questions!)

 

[WVduckchick]

Update with new photos: some I absolutely know are not developing, one was one of my most developed and I think it quit for some reason (I hope it doesn’t have to do with when the rotation tray cracked an egg and I had to clean everything out) others are more lively and moving!

The first photo— clearly nothing going on in there.
The second few photos— more lively and movement is seen.
The next few photos— this is egg #13 and I swore it was a super egg. However now I see a black mass which I’m assuming is the embryo and no movement unless I move the egg. And I’m curious as to if that’s a blood ring forming? Of course I’ll wait until day 10 to dispose of any quitters just in case but I just wanted more opinions of it this egg has given up on me.
The last few photos— #8 snuck up on me with its development. It was nowhere near as bouncy and lovely as #13 on Friday. It’s weird, almost like they’re all developing differently.

I’m feeling hopeful but very defeated at the same time because the process hasn’t been easy with the cracked egg and regulating temp and humidity after I had to clean all that up. I’m tehing to stay positive and think “day 8! Only twenty to go!” But I also know so much can happen in twenty days AND i have to go to a wedding 9 hours away on Memorial Day weekend and teach my house sitter how to care for these VERY fragile babies. Honestly I wish I could take them with me but that’s just crazy.

I'm also thinking #13 has quit, but leave it until day 10, or even more, just until you are positive. Glad some are doing well though!

 

[ColleenRyan]

I'm also thinking #13 has quit, but leave it until day 10, or even more, just until you are positive. Glad some are doing well though!

As I live in surburban area I really would be so happy with only 2-3 (just so they have buddies, I found three duckies were the happiest) if more hatch I’ll most definitely welcome them to the family too! I just find myself worried because #13 developed the most first. I’m hoping the others don’t follow in his footsteps. Do you have any advice? Should I be more hands off? Less turning? I was doing 7 times a day and when I was having low temp issues I brought it down to 5 to save heat. always an odd number. I always wash my hands before handling and I’m very delicate with them and I always lay towels down all around the candling area just in case something happens (god forbid!) any advice to get some healthy babies moving forward would be so helpful

 

[casportpony]

Sounds like a job for Kiki.

That's what I was thinking!

 

[ColleenRyan]

That's what I was thinking!

Who is Kiki and how can I get in contact?!

 

[casportpony]

Who is Kiki and how can I get in contact?!

@KikisGirls, we were thinking that you might be a good person to set up a BYC incubator cheat sheet. It would be something that we could refer to that shows the basic features of incubators, like if they have a fan, hygrometer, thermometer, turner, etc.