Duck eggs

[Chicken Kate]

First time duck hatching here. I only have two eggs in, I just wanted to learn. I was told that they need to have a ten min cool off period each day, so I've been doing that. Today, is day 22, i seem to have one duckling starting to hatch and the other is moving around like crazy. But here's the thing, first I thought there to be three more days before hatch, so I have not moved them to the hatching bater yet, I had them out for their ten min cooling, when I hear my ducks outside freak out...there was a weasel walking around (OK not any more but there was lol) so I come in and now it's been 20 mins since cool down (bad me) anyway, that's when I noticed that there is massive pipping by one duckling..ummm OK I was NOT expecting that...at all...but yaaaay...question is...is baby #1 going to be OK...I mean it's chilly in my house (Hazard of being married to a man that's ALWAYS hot) apparently it's not too cold for baby to start pip but I am worried about zip locking..when should I start rubbing egg with wet warm paper towel. (I hatch chicks and Lord knows I had to help many...they get lazy lol) I forgot to add that these are khaki Campbell/ Pekin mix babies. I know it helps to have breed when talking birds

 

[Pickle Rick]

hi, I used to hatch ducklings as well(Muscovy's, turns out they are very difficult to hatch),but firstly, letting the eggs isn't cool necessary(I never did and mine ended out alright)and secondly, once they are at the stage of hatching they should be all right, as they produce a bit of heat themselves
so in short they should be allright

 

[WVduckchick]

Agree, it should be fine. Remember hens get off the eggs too (which I suppose is the reasoning behind the “cooling” but I never do it either)

As far as assisting...ducks take much much longer to hatch than chickens do. It’s not unusual for one to take 48 hours from the time it pips the shell to actual hatch! Slow pokes!! So please don’t rush to assist. They continue to absorb yolk much longer after pip than chickens do.
And don’t rub the shell with anything damp, please. The shell needs to stay crisp for zipping.
If the pip hole and membrane get dark brown colored, you may consider some coconut oil or Vaseline or the like to moisten the area, but only if it starts turning brown.
Ducks also have a tendency to make multiple pips while getting into zipping position, so don’t be alarmed if you see another pip close to the original one, before it starts to zip.

Good luck!!

 

[Chicken Kate]

hi, I used to hatch ducklings as well(Muscovy's, turns out they are very difficult to hatch),but firstly, letting the eggs isn't cool necessary(I never did and mine ended out alright)and secondly, once they are at the stage of hatching they should be all right, as they produce a bit of heat themselves
so in short they should be allright

You just made my day. Lol thank you so much. I hated that cooling thing.
I have heard that Muscovy's were hard to hatch...and take forever as well lol.
Happy to hear that I didn't zip lock them..yet. I can't wait too see them finish hatching..