Duck egg question

[JenHarmon]

We are incubating duck eggs for the first time. We had 12, but we are down to 8 that have what seem to be healthy active growing embryos. We are 18 days till hatch day and when we candled the eggs this morning, it looks like one of them has 2 embryos....I know odds are very much against them....but what do I do?

 

[Farmer In Training]

I would just leave it and see if it hatches. This has not happened to me when I incubate, however, it happened to my friend. The egg ended up hatching, (On day 21), but they looked different lol. She has done 3 batches and had double Yorkers in 2 of them, but that was the first time it actually hatched. Hope I helped!!!!

 

[BaJa]

you might have to help them hatch. twins have a very hard time hatching. On youtube you can find some vidoes on how to do that

 

[chickens really]

@WVduckchick
@Ravynscroft

 

[WVduckchick]

Nothing special needs to be done at this point, except be prepared that twins rarely survive.
It's also possible that when you candled, you saw butt and head, and thought it was 2 different ones. They look kinda squirrely during those mid-incubation days, depending on how they are laying.

If they make it all the way to lockdown and you determine there really are twins, some assistance may be required, if you want to help them hatch. usually they are laying ying-yang position, which means that one gets the air cell, the other doesn't, so the one with its head near the non-air cell end would likely need help.

You can read up on assisted hatches if you want, to get a little prepared and decide if it's something you want to do, if and when the time comes..

good luck!

 

[WVduckchick]

This is an excellent article to read

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/guide-to-assisted-hatching-for-all-poultry.72886/

 

[JenHarmon]

Thanks yall! I will keep everyone updated!