Do I really have to mist the shells?

[sparkles2307]

My dad never did when I was little and we always had great hatch rates...

 

[Brickman House]

I just hatched 15 out of 17 duck eggs. Clean hatch, healthy ducklings. I incubated at 99.5 F, 55% humidity for days 1-25, low 70's % for days 25-28. They were in an autoturner until lockdown, when I put them in an egg carton for hatching. I didn't mist or cool the eggs.

My ducks were standard breeds, though. I understand Call ducks and some others may be harder to hatch, and might need more attention and special treatment.

 

[FenDruadin]

I had a 91% hatch rate on my last batch. Ran at 100 degrees, low 20s humidity (did not fill water wells, did not monitor regularly, have found the air cells develop better at low humidity) up to Day 25, upper 60s-70s humidity remainder. Lost one at Day 18 and one during the hatch while it was zipping (not stuck--it just died mid-zip for no apparent reason). The other 20 eggs all hatched. Did not mist the eggs, used an auto-turner. Hatched in cartons.

This works for me. Different things work for different folks. Start with the basics (temp & turning one way or another), I say, and if you want a higher hatch rate, experiment till you get it where you want it.

 

[redhen]

I just had a great duck hatch and i didnt mist the shells..
i think thats more for goose eggs...

 

[duckyfromoz]

It depends a lot on the climate you live in and what type of incubator you are using. Some people do and some dont. I have been misting mine for a while now- And have had better success when I do.

 

[Natermotor]

I incubate at 99.3-100.6F and mist the shells regularly once per day. I don't monitor humdidity until lockdown, when I increase it to low 40's. I got 11 of 12 last time I did this.

 

[sparkles2307]

OK thanks!

 

[katharinad]

It's more important if you don't have a circulated fan incubator. Holderread suggest to mist in all incubators, but only says to cool off in a still incubator.
Katharina

 

[One Acre Wonder Farm]

I've never misted (bator w/fan), in fact I keep the humidity in the low 30s till lockdown and I've had great hatches.

 

[tia]

I have a Suro - automatic turner - fan - and humidity - set up. I keep temp at 99.5 and humidity at 55. I raise the humidity to 65 on day 25... got 7 out of 8 last hatch. I am on day 26 doing the same thing... hopefully all will be good. I did not mist the eggs.