Duck Egg Help

[AVernatter01]

So my ducks have started laying their frist eggs, however they will not lay them anywhere but *in* our pond. I’ve been collecting them as I've found them and right now I have 11 out of the 15 I’ve found. 4 have died, but I was wondering why it’s taking them so long to grow. It’s almost week 2 for the oldest egg and it just grew veins and developed a heartbeat, but so has egg 6 (found a week-ish later). I’m a bit concerned about their development. Any tips? Here are some pictures.

 

[Animals45]

Maybe @HuffleClaw knows!

 

[Pyxis]

These are in an incubator, right? Sorry for the probably silly question. In in incubator it absolutely should not be taking two weeks for development to just finally start. If they are in an incubator, is it possible the temperature in it has actually been very low and now just finally has for some reason come up to the correct temperature for development?

 

[AVernatter01]

These are in an incubator, right? Sorry for the probably silly question. In in incubator it absolutely should not be taking two weeks for development to just finally start. If they are in an incubator, is it possible the temperature in it has actually been very low and now just finally has for some reason come up to the correct temperature for development?

Actually they aren’t but I have kept the temperature and humidity constant (I have a reptile but he hates heat and humidity, so I use his thermometer and hydrometer for incubation). They’re also in a draft- free area. We’re trying to get an incubator now. I’ve not touched the heater at all because it regulates temperature itself and I turn and spray them numerous times a day. It could be possible I’m doing something wrong, though.

 

[CayugaJana]

What temperature and humidity are you keeping the eggs at if they aren’t in an incubator?

 

[AVernatter01]

What temperature and humidity are you keeping the eggs at if they aren’t in an incubator?

I keep them at about 99-100 degrees and try to keep humidity from 55-60%

 

[CayugaJana]

The picture you posted looks like mine on day 4 maybe 5 of incubation. I would say your temperature is not correct. At any rate, if it’s taken 2 weeks to get a heartbeat they probably won’t make it to hatch. Are you certain about temperature and humidity? And is there swings in temperature?

 

[AVernatter01]

The picture you posted looks like mine on day 4 maybe 5 of incubation. I would say your temperature is not correct. At any rate, if it’s taken 2 weeks to get a heartbeat they probably won’t make it to hatch. Are you certain about temperature and humidity? And is there swings in temperature?

It’s been very windy here and the power goes out sometimes at night so that could be doing it. However the ones with heartbeats are growing steadily and normally now, so I have high hopes for them.