Do ducks and chickens prefer different incubation conditions? also, assisted duck hatch?

[risingeaglefarm]

I had a horrible first hatch, only 1 of 60 hatched. So I decided not to put all my eggs in one basket, and I bought a second incubator. I adjusted temp best I could and had a dozen duck eggs and a dozen chicken eggs, and I set half in each. In the first incubator, all the chicken eggs hatched, but all the duck eggs quit. In the second incubator the duck eggs all developed while the chickens all quit. They all hatched on the same day, the chickens a day or two early while the ducks 2 days late. Weird, huh? I wonder if ducks and chickens prefer just slightly different hatching conditions.... Well, from now on I'm always gonna use a few incubators to increase my chances.

Anyway, the duckling-i heard it peeping two nights ago, thought it died in shell, was surprised to find a bill sticking through it today. The membrane around it felt dry and looked tan in color, and the duck was due two days ago, so my gut instinct was to assist. I peeled half the shell away from the membrane, tried to slowly peel off the membrane but a very slight bit of blood was present. I'm not sure what to do? Never hatched ducks before. Only quail, and I end up assisting a lot of those. The chickens were really bloody when they hatched, so what do you think? Should I go ahead and assist, or spray mist on it, what do you do wit ducks? The membrane looks tan and opaque white in different areas. The duck is opening his mouth but not doing much else.

 

[GitaBooks]

I'm sorry to hear about your first hatch, but congrats on your new babies!

Ducks may prefer things slightly more humid than chickens, as their mother often has wet feathers when she sits on the nest.

As for assisting the duckling, if it hasn't made progress and seems to be tiring, it's probably is stuck. Carefully peel away the shell but leave the membrane until it has absorbed the blood. Only pick away the shell up near the head, wait until you are sure that the yolk is absorbed before removing the duckling.
This duckling could be genetically weak, so it won't make a good breeder (but it will be a nice pet!). It may need extra special help after hatching, since it might have weak legs and be more prone to spraddle leg.

Best of luck!

 

[risingeaglefarm]

Thanks for the advice!

 

[risingeaglefarm]

On closer inspection the duck had pipped the wrong side, so I helped it out. Its now just laying there, kinda shaking. Put it in the brooder-what else can I do to help it?

 

[risingeaglefarm]

Its walking now so all seems good

 

[GitaBooks]

Good. I'm glad it seems to be gaining strength. Just be extra careful with it the first few days. Keep it warm and make sure the surface it walks on is easy to grip.