Duck egg help

[WVduckchick]

This is one of my duck eggs, taken on day 5 of incubation. This is what you will want to see to show it is growing.

 

[casportpony]

This is one of my duck eggs, taken on day 5 of incubation. This is what you will want to see to show it is growing.

Great picture!

 

[Seminolegirl]

Just so you know, it was a pet pekin duck that was attacked..... But thanks for asking.

 

[Seminolegirl]

I came here for help, not to be judged or belittled which is in the tone of a couple of these replys.... Obviously I'm trying to do all I can for this egg otherwise I wouldn't have reached out please realise that.

 

[Seminolegirl]

Lastly, if I had not taken the egg it would have been thrown away by the owner. At least I gave it a chance.

 

[Pyxis]

I definitely was not trying to judge or belittle you, and if you thought my tone was coming off that way then I apologize. I'm just trying to get information so I can help you. I understand you're trying to help the egg and you're doing what you can for it, but without knowing what day you started incubating or what temperature the incubator is, it's very hard to help.

Were you able to get a new thermometer or calibrate the one you have so you know for sure what the temperature is in the incubator? Temperature is the single-most important factor in incubating, so you really need to know what it is. And was Wednesday the day you put it into the incubator and started incubation?

I only asked about it being a mallard because we see a lot of good-intentioned people here taking mallard eggs out of the wild and trying to hatch them without knowing that it's illegal and breaks federal law. The penalties for doing so are large fines and in some cases even jail time, and I didn't want you to face either of those things so I was warning you.

Also, the breed is important for another reason, because different breeds of ducks take different amounts of time to hatch. Pekins take 28 days. They also almost never go broody, which I am only telling you because I don't want you to feel bad if the egg doesn't make it - even if the mother had survived, chances are she never would have tried to hatch that egg anyway.

 

[Seminolegirl]

Ok I understand. I just wanted to state my side. I see a lot of wildlife at my hospital but not a lot of eggs lol And yes the day it was laid was the same day I put it in the incubator (wed last week). After fussing with the thermometer, which is an old mercury thermometer in it, I believe it reads 99. The picture I shared at the first post, the orange area, is bigger but no veins yet. I'll be a little sad if it doesn't hatch, but I just wanted to give it a chance.

 

[Pyxis]

No veins yet isn't a great sign, but I would give it until day 10 (Saturday) to be sure before giving up on it. Also if possible get the temperature up to 101.5 degrees measured at the top of the egg.

 

[WVduckchick]

@Seminolegirl apologies if anyone sounded harsh. We sometimes tend to jump in with specifics and our bedside manners go out the window.

We all want to help, and it's great that you are trying to save a duckling. So sorry about the lost pekin.

Anyway, the duck eggs that I am currently incubating were in one of my ducks nests for several days, cold overnight temps, near freezing. She would sit part of the day, but not overnight. I suspected the eggs were no good, getting that cold, so I took them. To my surprise, they are all developing.

So the low temp that yours has been at may cause some delays, but I agree, give it a few more days, try to get the temp up closer to 99-100, and see how it goes. I despise trying to read those merc thermometers, but it's probably a very accurate one. If you could fine a digital one that is submersible (at least the tip or gage part), you can run some hot water, get it to about 100 degrees on your merc thermometer, and compare the digital one. It makes incubating much simpler.

I really do wish you the best of luck!

 

[Seminolegirl]

Thank you for the help! I will test the Merc thermometer tomorrow at work compared to a digital. I appreciate the suggestion. Also here is a pic of the egg today....I'm still lost on this development, but not giving up yet. ....