Duck eggs day 25/26

[LillyBantam]

My silkie hen is sitting on some bantam east indian ducks, they'll be 28 days Monday morning, so halfway through day 25. Well, I heard them cheep today, and I checked them tonight when locking hens away and two of the three have got a small crack. They can't be hatching already can they? Or could it just be movement causing the crack? They were active, I could feel the egg moving and I can here faint fast tapping when I listen closely. I must sit on my hands now! Wendy

 

[sourland]

Sit on your hands - leave your hen alone. For some reason incubation temps may have been elevated and you are getting an early hatch. Update with results.

 

[LillyBantam]

I wonder how it could be elevated with a hen? The weather isn't warm at all outside. They are a bantam breed so perhaps they develope a little quicker? Had a quick peek this morning , no change and still some cheering, so they're all happy. I think they'll hatch tomorrow. But I'm guessing they've internally pipped if there's a crack on the outside? Should they hatch in a certain time after internally pipping? Thanks.

 

[nurse_turtle]

Duck eggs under a DUCK will hatch in 28 days. Take into account that mama duck goes into the water and back to her eggs which cools the eggs due to the temperature of the water and especially the evaporation. Evaporation is a cooling process. Mama CHICKEN does not do this which will cause an earlier hatch but normally won't cause any problems.

 

[adrian]

I've heard that bantam ducks will hatch in 26 days.

Good luck.

 

[LillyBantam]

Yes that makes sense. Oooh, I'm so excited. This is my first natural hatch, and only incubated twice before so still got lots learn. We learn as we go. Thanks for your advice! Wendy