Duck eggs set today. What should I do differently?

[kaffleck]

Hiya,
I've set my first ever duck eggs and have the incubator set to 28 days. What's the recommended incubating and hatching humidity for these? Any other tips you found useful?
Thanks in advance,
Kirstie

 

[kelseygirl707]

I usually do 65% for the first 25 days, then up it to 80% the last 3 days, and I have always had good hatches. Ducks seem to be pretty forgiving. Sometimes I incubate duck and chicken eggs together, and usually set the humidity closer to chicken then duck, and still have good hatches. Good Luck! I have 15 Duck eggs due in about 10 days

 

[BeccaOH]

I've had good luck with misting them with a bit of water once each day.

 

[snowhorse]

What is the humidity for chickens average?

I was thinking about putting some chicks in with the ducks closer to when they will have the same hatch date.

I have Muscovys due May 11th. I was going to candle on Sunday to see if I have anything...I put them in yesterday.

 

[Brickman House]

I just did a hatch of 17 duck eggs (15 hatched) at 55% humidity for 1-25, and 70+% humidity at lockdown.

 

[snowhorse]

If it helps I have mine at 55% humidity at 99.5 degrees. But I don't know if scovy eggs differ from regular duck eggs temp wise, I know they take much longer...

 

[kaffleck]

I had the chickens at around 45% for first 19 days on last hatch so I'll up it a tad then. I'll aim for around 55%. I can get the 'bator up to 75% without difficulty so will aim for that during lock down.
Just having a look in a book I have here and it has optimums as 60% incubating for muscovys and 55% for ornamentals. It also says that pipping for muscovys is around 31 - 34 days which seems really long! These are Khaki Campbells so would 28 be around about right?
Good luck kelseygirl and snowhorse!
Cheers,
Kirstie

 

[snowhorse]

You too kaffleck! Keep us posted

 

[kaffleck]

4 days left and I would candle for the last time as the last time I peeked at these eggs they looked pretty well developed and oh help! 3 have pipped into the air sac, one of which has already started on the shell!!!!!!! Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh They were still turning and humidity around 50%! I've stopped the bator turning now and bunged in a heap of tissues and extra water, damped the shell a little of the one cracked one (hope I don't drown it!) and now I'm just going to have to pray! I'm not ready!!! All 6 were still alive. Wish me luck!
Snowhorse, what's happening with yours? I've been away from the boards so sorry if you've posted somewhere else and I've missed it.

 

[snowhorse]

None of mine were any good

I bought 12 more and candled them tonight and have 8 developing. Due May 23rd.

Keep us posted, I hope it goes okay!!!