Duck eggs air cell way too small! Help please

[Doulos]

Should I mist with warm water to prevent membrane from shrinking?

 

[Ravynscroft]

No, that will actually dry them out quicker... once it evaporates it pulls extra moisture out of the membrane...

Just check them and see what's going on... IF you feel the need to open them up a bit, you'll need to open the air cell enough to use a qtip to apply a little vaseline or ointment to keep it moist...

 

[Doulos]

Well, I just noticed three of the eggs shaking slightly. I guess I should wait just a little longer. I'm just worried because the air sacs were so small.

 

[Ravynscroft]

Candle them real quick... twist the eggs slightly side to side while candling and check for any liquid moving in the air cell... if they have too much liquid still in there they might need help keeping their bills clear of that so they don't inhale it... that's usually fatal for them...

 

[Doulos]

Okay, I candle them really quickly. The 4 with internal and external pips seem to have no liquid in air sac. The other 5 seem to have no internal pups yet.

 

[Ravynscroft]

Good! Sounds like they were just resting then...

Now sit on your hands and be prepared to wait... and wait some more...

 

[Doulos]

Okay! I will turn a movie on to distract myself! However, after these four have finally hatched, if the others haven't pipped, should I do a float test tonight or tomorrow?

 

[Ravynscroft]

I never float test... candling will tell you the same if not more than a float test... look for receded veins and large clear space between embryo and air cell for late deaths... movement for ones still alive... tap on the shell while candling usually gets any viables to move a bit to see...

 

[Doulos]

I can't really see much inside any of the eggs besides the air sac and a shadow in the air sac if it pipped. There were two I included in lock down even though I didn't see movement.

 

[Doulos]

Well, I had four total hatch. Appears to be 3 females and 1 male. One that externally pipped did not make it. There are still 5 eggs that never internally pipped, and when I candle them, I see no movement. I guess I have learned my lesson to incubate at Lowe humidity. I'm going to set some more in a day or two, and I will run it dry and adjust up latee, since it usually hovers right at 35% without water added. I'm using a homemade bator, and I think I can improve my design a bit too. I'm going to add a bunch or sand for thermal mass. I noticed that when I removed them from the turner the temperature was about 1-1.5 degrees lower and less stable, so that 2 inches made a big difference.

Anyway, here are some pics! Thank you all for the advice!