Duck eggs. Bator temp sl low first week. Lockdown late??

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The next ones that pip internally, give about 12-16 hours to see if they can break through the shell on their own before pipping them. That will give them a chance to try & allow them to absorb more of the blood before being pipped.
 
Four stopped moving today, two were way underdeveloped. Two died. Two more doing ok but haven't internally pipped and still have veins so in they stay.
Ducklings seem lazy compared to chicks... They lay, wake up and cheep and stretch. Then sleep some more.
Hmmmmm.
One is still drying in the bator but two are in the brooder.
400


400
 
pnp4kidz said:
Four stopped moving today, two were way underdeveloped. Two died. Two more doing ok but haven't internally pipped and still have veins so in they stay.
Ducklings seem lazy compared to chicks... They lay, wake up and cheep and stretch. Then sleep some more.
Hmmmmm.
One is still drying in the bator but two are in the brooder.


Click to expand...
Yes, ducklings are a good bit more calm than chicks most of the time. Once they get bigger & you start letting them in the water you will see more action. Ducks get the "zoomies" when given enough space to run. They will take off running (usually around something) all at once for short little bursts of speed at a time. The do the same in the water & take quick little dives around your pool or tub. It doesn't happen often in the confines of a brooder, but once taken outside or given a good area of floor space they will do it. They go nuts in the water flapping & dunking & diving & shaking. Beware, if you stand too close you WILL get a shower. It's guaranteed!!!
 
I posted this on another thread where someone was asking about ducklings but I thought you could use the info as well. You have a small number of ducklings compared to the person I was replying to so 1 water container should be sufficient for your little brood:


I have found the best way to brood ducks is on wire. If you put them in where you have to have bedding you will get nothing done except changing bedding every time you turn around. I have a stack cage for puppies that has the nice deep plastic pans under each cage. Duckies go in there so all I have to do is dump the pans about every 2 days. Ducks will dump & splash any water you give them. Also, they poop A LOT!!! You would never think so much poop could come from something so little. Ducks need to be able to dunk their entire head in the water, but not their bodies unless you are letting them swim (not a good idea to leave this option available all the time). This lets them clean their nasal passages & helps them swallow their food. Never feed ducks without water. They can choke very easily, especially as babies. A chick waterer will work for the first few days, but as they grow you will need a deeper container to allow them to get their heads in. For 20 ducklings you could use about 4 cottage cheese containers or butter bowls WITH lids for a couple weeks. You may need to start with shorter bowls like chip dip containers. Cut a hole in the lid that allows the head in without rubbing but not the body (holes will need to be enlarged as they grow). Fill containers about 3/4 full of water to allow them access to water without being able to climb in & dump it all. After they get tall enough, 1 gallon buckets work well for several more weeks until they are feathered enough to head outside. Flock Raiser or All-Flock type feed is best. Do NOT feed medicated feed as it will make the ducklings sick. Many people say to add niacin to duckling's feed, but if you use something formulated for ducks like the Flock Raiser or All-Flock it's not necessary. This same feed can also be fed to chicks & even adult birds. You can add a little grit or sand to the feed after the 1st few days & allow them to nibble fresh or frozen veggies diced up small for younger ducks & graduating to whole as they grow. They love diving for veggies in their water at bath time. Ducklings shouldn't be allowed to swim unsupervised until about 3 weeks old because their oil glands are not developed enough to keep them from getting waterlogged & tired babies sink quickly.
 
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