Desperately Trying to Hatch Ducklings

[Kiki]

I am Kiki.
Let me catch up real quick.

 

[casportpony]

I am Kiki.
Let me catch up real quick.

I thought about this because there was some confusion early on as to whether or not the incubator being used in this thread was still air or forced air.

 

[Kiki]

Sounds like a job for Kiki.

Y'all are nuts...I'll make something up once I finish the feed stuff I'm working on.

 

[Kiki]

I thought about this because there was some confusion early on as to whether or not the incubator being used in this thread was still air or forced air.

I can see a incubator detailed Googlesheet in the future.

 

[WVduckchick]

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

Hand washing is good. I honestly think you are doing fine. If they don't make it, I don't think it will be any fault of yours. I could say stop candling so often, or whatever! But I try to think about broody hens. They are much rougher on eggs than we would even think of being, and they still manage to hatch. They are dirty. They get off the nest. They get them wet. They roll them around.... etc, etc. We don't do that. Take care, yes, but unfortunately, I think whatever will happen is what it is.

Y'all are nuts...I'll make something up once I finish the feed stuff I'm working on.

We loves you Kiki.
(I will be glad to help any way I can)

 

[CSAchook]

Y'all are nuts...I'll make something up once I finish the feed stuff I'm working on.

She says...and then immediately starts an incubator thread

 

[Kiki]

She says...and then immediately starts an incubator thread

I'm nuts.
I can't help it.

 

[CSAchook]

I'm nuts.
I can't help it.

I know and we love you for it

 

[ColleenRyan]

It looks like I have 5 eggs with action and 5 eggs that either weren’t fertile or quit. The only late quitter was #13. I’m hoping the odds are in my favor! Going to stop candling as often. For this period (day 8 until lockdown) what do you think the ideal humidity would be for them? The temp is around 100 (def not over 100) I have three thermomiters including the incubator. Also do you think turning them more would give the five good ones a better chance? Right now I turn between 5-7 times a day but I could easily do more

 

[Mrichard0930]

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!

Yeah it’s terrible and I am in PA so very strange weather here too I agree. I’m not a candling expert but on day eight my eggs looked like they did on day one so I knew they weren’t fertile. Google had great pics of what each week should look like