Duck Eggs Wobbling Day 22/23...Do I lock down early??

[bex1983]

Hi there,

First time incubating duck eggs (well any eggs lol), and I've got alot of movement on a few eggs tonight. It was day 22, now day 23 and I'm just wondering if I should stop turning them and lock them down?? I got the eggs from my neighbor who also incubated a batch from her duck and hers hatched day 25/26, so I'm wondering if mine will do the same meaning I should lock down early?? I'm stressing out here lol, I don't want to mess up any progress they've made getting into position by turning them and I don't want to hurt them by stopping turning too early. I also want to bump up my humidity on time for them to hatch

Thanks in advance for any help or advice!

 

[Slash3]

I would suggest candling them to see how far along they are, and if you feel it's needed lock them down now. Turning isn't as important in the last few days. So candle and check the Candling chart which is on here ( can't remember where exactly) think its a pinned post at the top of incubating forum. good luck!

 

[Slash3]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ng-pics-progression-though-incubation.261876/

 

[bex1983]

Thanks! I’ve been candling all along and had to run dry a few days around day 10 because the air cells weren’t looking large enough, even though I bumped back up a few days ago some look too big and some still look too small I candled the moving ones last night and I see a little movement at the bottom edge of the air sac but no peeping so I assume they are just trying to internally pip but haven’t yet.

Bah this is so stressful!

 

[bex1983]

Update: Since I locked down, nada, no more movement, nothing. Should I keep candling even during lockdown to check for internal pips, or just leave them alone like “lockdown” suggests?

Also, I’ve read since my incubator is forced air, during lockdown and hatching, I need my humidity about 5% higher (80%) than still air (70-75%)? And someone suggested keep spraying them through lockdown and hatch? Anyone else kept spraying them?

 

[bex1983]

I stupidly opened the incubator last night (the night lockdown would have originally started) to check for any internal pipping and I found 3 had internally pipped (no noise at all though even when I talked it), well I woke up this morning panicking because I know people always say they hear peeping and since I haven’t touched the eggs since the 23rd day I worried that I didn’t know how long it had been since they internally pipped (shouldn’t be left without a safety hole more than 24 hours after internal pip or they run out of air right?)...well anyways looked in saw no external pips but as soon as I candled I saw an external pip I had missed. Now I’m worried I screwed something up by not only opening the incubator but handling the little guy/girl...anyone handled a pipped egg and still had a successful hatch?

 

[Alexis13872]

Hi there,

First time incubating duck eggs (well any eggs lol), and I've got alot of movement on a few eggs tonight. It was day 22, now day 23 and I'm just wondering if I should stop turning them and lock them down?? I got the eggs from my neighbor who also incubated a batch from her duck and hers hatched day 25/26, so I'm wondering if mine will do the same meaning I should lock down early?? I'm stressing out here lol, I don't want to mess up any progress they've made getting into position by turning them and I don't want to hurt them by stopping turning too early. I also want to bump up my humidity on time for them to hatch

Thanks in advance for any help or advice!

Can you help me determine if mine are alive lol

 

[bex1983]

Update: 4 external pips

 

[bex1983]

Update: 1 duckie fully hatched

 

[Slash3]

Sorry, I've been offline. How many did you get? Congrats on the first one. And yes, I have handled a pipped egg before, had to help her out eventually. She is now a glorious golden Welsh Harlequin!