Duck egg air sac

[Samantha1415]

Hi could someone please help me, I’m incubating duck eggs at the moment but the air sac are a strange shape, this is my first time so I’m unsure if they are okay or a lost cause. Any help would be much appreciated!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi there, welcome to BYC!

What day of incubation are you on? Where is your temp and humidity in a forced or still air bator?

I would never say lost cause, without trying to complete it. Many folks hatch from eggs with lose or saddle shaped air cells in eggs that have been shipped. @WVduckchick suggestions?

 

[Samantha1415]

Thank you! We are on day 7, humidity has been fluctuating between 55% and 60% can’t seem to get a stable humidity going! Temp is at 37.7 at the moment. My incubator has a fan in? I’m not sure if that’s forced or still. Ive been doing some research and it seems some people’s hatch and some doesn’t, but I’m invested in it now I can’t bare to think giving up while they seem to be developing. The air sac hasn’t been moving at all it’s staying in place just a odd shape. Thank you for your reply! I’ve been in a panic for days. Xx

 

[WVduckchick]

Did you get the eggs shipped to you or acquire them locally?

And are you incubating them upright with air cells up, or with the eggs laying on their side?

 

[Samantha1415]

Did you get the eggs shipped to you or acquire them locally?

And are you incubating them upright with air cells up, or with the eggs laying on their side?

I got them shipped, I let them sit in the carton pointy side down for 24 hours, and they are now on their side and I’ve been turning 5 times a day, which is all things I read to do but now I’m not sure as the air sac is different I’m not sure if this is the right thing to do, I’ve seen people say to have them upright and not turn them at all for a week and some say laid down is best.. I just don’t want to keep changing positions incase it makes it worse xx

 

[dougieee]

I got them shipped, I let them sit in the carton pointy side down for 24 hours, and they are now on their side and I’ve been turning 5 times a day, which is all things I read to do but now I’m not sure as the air sac is different I’m not sure if this is the right thing to do, I’ve seen people say to have them upright and not turn them at all for a week and some say laid down is best.. I just don’t want to keep changing positions incase it makes it worse xx

Shipped eggs have their own set of rules.
The most common problem is a detached air cells so normal incubating techniques dont work so well.
Most people (myself included) have success by leaving them pointy end down in egg boxes inside the incubator for the entire duration and only turning minimally, every time you turn the egg the airsack rises to the top of the egg hence the "saddle" shapes.
What you essentially want to do is stabalise the air sack so the chick can internally pip into it. With bad saddles you run the risk of the chick suffocating.

 

[Samantha1415]

Shipped eggs have their own set of rules.
The most common problem is a detached air cells so normal incubating techniques dont work so well.
Most people (myself included) have success by leaving them pointy end down in egg boxes inside the incubator for the entire duration and only turning minimally, every time you turn the egg the airsack rises to the top of the egg hence the "saddle" shapes.
What you essentially want to do is stabalise the air sack so the chick can internally pip into it. With bad saddles you run the risk of the chick suffocating.

I still have the carton should I put them back in to it or is it too late being on day 7 to make a change? How much do you recommend turning them? Xx

 

[WVduckchick]

Since they aren't actually floating around, just weird shape, I'd leave them laying down.

 

[Samantha1415]

Thank you all for your help! I had no idea of the complications having eggs shipped! X

 

[WVduckchick]

Thank you all for your help! I had no idea of the complications having eggs shipped! X

They could be much worse! I’ve had ones where the air cell split into multiple bubbles, ones that were totally loose and floating all over, scrambled yolks! We are at the mercy of the postal handlers.

One thing to keep in mind is that although it looks really out of shape, part of it is just not touching the outer membrane like they usually are. It’s still there, it’s just pulled away a little. So try to imagine where the actual round cell is, and not where it appears....if that makes sense. Lol