Duck Egg Lockdown help

[cursocale]

Hey everyone,

I'm hoping someone can help me out with some advice.

Due to a succession of broody ducks' nests being raided by ravens, I have 4 rescued eggs in a borrowed incubator that are all going really well. Trouble is, they are all at different stages of development:

Egg 1 - due to go on lockdown on 31st Dec, due to hatch on 2nd Jan

Eggs 2 & 3 - due to go on lockdown 4th Jan, due to hatch on 6th Jan

Egg 4 - due to go on lockdown 6th Jan, due to hatch on 8th Jan

I bought a crappy little incubator off Gumtree thinking I could use this for the lockdown and hatching periods so I don't disturb the other eggs, and could use the big incy for the last one due to hatch on 8th. However, I've just switched the little one on and to say I'm nervous is an understatement!! The temp is obviously out, and it has no humidity gauge. I have a separate hydrometer/thermometer but am also unsure of how correct this is (it had different readings to my big incy too, but that has incubated all my eggs successfully so far!) It also only has one vent, so I I won't have the option to open any up as the ducky hatches. Also to keep the separate thermometer in the incubator, my only option is to have it go under the lid, which leaves a little gap which won't be ideal for keeping the humidity high.

Has anyone had any success hatching with one of these things? Any tips?

Also what temps/humidity do you set to for lockdown?

Do you reckon I could hatch the last three eggs in the big incy by locking all the eggs down early on 5th Jan?

I am considering chucking at least the first one under some broody ducks outside instead for hatching, and just keeping the last three to hatch in the big incy... But they have been raided so many times by Ravens that it would also be a worry... And there are located smack bang in the middle of a hay paddock that could be cut at any time in the next two weeks!!

They have all developed SO well, with no quitters so far and I really don't want to fail them in the last few days... I'm also really keen to see the hatching process as all of my other ducks have been hatched under Mum and I've missed the whole thing.

Any advice you have would be welcome.

Photo of crappy incy attached.

Thanks

 

[Tlmcq]

I have tried that cheap incubator... humidity gets ridiculously high in it and mine doesn't read proper temp. I did however use it without it's lid inside a styro cooler using a separate thermometer/hygrometer to get my temp right. It was an emergency situation as well. You can start lockdown a day late on 5th. For ducks I keep my humidity to 65% for lockdown but different people vary a bit on their experience and type of incubator. With my last couple hatches I didn't "lockdown" until one internally pips, I just raise humidity and checked em once or twice a day til one pips internally then lock it down and not open til hatch. You just have to make sure no one is externally pipped if you open the incubator. Never open it if one is pipped the shell or hatching as quick drop in humidity can shrink wrap them in the membrane of shell.

 

[cursocale]

I have tried that cheap incubator... humidity gets ridiculously high in it and mine doesn't read proper temp. I did however use it without it's lid inside a styro cooler using a separate thermometer/hygrometer to get my temp right. It was an emergency situation as well. You can start lockdown a day late on 5th. For ducks I keep my humidity to 65% for lockdown but different people vary a bit on their experience and type of incubator. With my last couple hatches I didn't "lockdown" until one internally pips, I just raise humidity and checked em once or twice a day til one pips internally then lock it down and not open til hatch. You just have to make sure no one is externally pipped if you open the incubator. Never open it if one is pipped the shell or hatching as quick drop in humidity can shrink wrap them in the membrane of shell.

Thanks Tlmcq. I am having the same issues now - no water in it and it won't go below 90% humidity. I have heaps of styrofoam boxes so could rig something up.... However how did you see inside to know what was happening? Maybe a plastic box over teh top would work, might experiment.

I am also wondering if I just turn the humidity up to 65 and lockdown with the others in there? They have done OK with the levels being between 55 and 65 so far, so perhaps if I lock down for two days it won't be too much of an issue for the others...? Although the turner tray will have to come out so they won't get turned for 2-3 days.

I also once successfully hatched a duckling that was the wrong way around in the shell and needed assistance - I put her under a brooder lamp on a damp towel, and just kept her membrane damp with warm soaked cotton buds until she hatched - it was two days of intense care but it worked!

Do you turn you temperature down for lockdown or leave it at 37.5?

Cheers

 

[Tlmcq]

I cut out a square in cooler lid and duct taped a clear plastic over hole to see in. I do not lower temp during lockdown. If you use styro or cooler poke a couple ventilation holes thru it with pencil or something. To bring humidity up to level put a cup of water or few wet sponges in. The reservoir on the lil incubator isn't enough in cooler. A day late on lockdown shouldn't be an issue.

 

[cursocale]

I cut out a square in cooler lid and duct taped a clear plastic over hole to see in. I do not lower temp during lockdown. If you use styro or cooler poke a couple ventilation holes thru it with pencil or something. To bring humidity up to level put a cup of water or few wet sponges in. The reservoir on the lil incubator isn't enough in cooler. A day late on lockdown shouldn't be an issue.

OK thanks. I just also had a thought - I might try drilling some holes in the plastic dome to keep the humidity down - then I can tape over them to control temp and humidity a bit easier. I'll give that a go tomorrow and hopefully won't break it!!

 

[Tlmcq]

OK thanks. I just also had a thought - I might try drilling some holes in the plastic dome to keep the humidity down - then I can tape over them to control temp and humidity a bit easier. I'll give that a go tomorrow and hopefully won't break it!!

Make sure to put tape over drilling spot and have hard surface against area your drilling for best chance of not breaking it...it can be done but that type of plastic is tricky to drill thru.