Duck Hatch-A-Long ~ Wanna Join?

[Peterh005]

Just transferred the eggs to the broody duck, I think they'll have a better chance with her

 

[DutchChic]

Here's my good news! I replaced the water reservoir in the hatcher with one that had more surface area and it shot right up to 70%!

Also, I candled my latest test batch of my ducks' eggs and 11 out of 12 are developing. Hooray for the drakes who are doing their jobs!!!

It sounded like you needed more surface area....glad you got it worked out.

Yeah for fertility! I'm hoping my pastels have better fertility in the batch I have in the bator right now.

Well, 3 ducklings hatched (helped one a little when it hadn't gone from pip to zip in over 24 hours). But the other 3 were fully developed but no internal pipping and clearly deceased upon opening. What would you more experience hatchers suggest for problems? I started some in a homemade bator until day 10 then I sorted down to the 6 fertile (out of 12 set) and then the rest of the time they were in a brinsea mini advanced. I did open and spritz them once daily until lock down when I filled full reservoir and spritzed well. Any suggestions appreciated.

(Note: not sure DH is pushing for bigger hatches, lol hence how I talked him in to my brinsea. See honey, it only hatches 7. He wasn't really fooled but I of course want 7 of 7 to hatch)

Is it possible they drowned? What was the humidity in the brinsea?

 

[DutchChic]

Just transferred the eggs to the broody duck, I think they'll have a better chance with her

Wish I had some broodies...would use them for sure!

 

[Peterh005]

the duck gave up, she left the nest and got back to her normal stuff

 

[CrittersNPets]

Quote:

Maybe, sad if so. I was more worried they'd be to dry. I need to find a humidity reader that will fit in my little brinsea. The one I have doesn't fit well. Best suggestions/where to find welcome.

 

[Apyl]

Well I candles tonight. Of the 6 Rouen eggs 3 are deffinit;y still alive and 1 is iffy and 2 are clear. Now its day 6 for the guinea eggs and I read that they take a long time to develop but out of 13 eggs only 4 look possible. The rest looked pretty clear from what I can see. I am crossing my fingers they just arnt developed enough for me to see. I am going to be so ticked, I ordered these eggs from someone on BYC and I sure hope their fertile !

 

[DutchChic]

Well I candles tonight. Of the 6 Rouen eggs 3 are deffinit;y still alive and 1 is iffy and 2 are clear. Now its day 6 for the guinea eggs and I read that they take a long time to develop but out of 13 eggs only 4 look possible. The rest looked pretty clear from what I can see. I am crossing my fingers they just arnt developed enough for me to see. I am going to be so ticked, I ordered these eggs from someone on BYC and I sure hope their fertile !

I don't remember how many days until it was possible to tell on the guineas, but seemed to me like it was longer than chickens. Don't throw them out yet!

 

[DutchChic]

Maybe, sad if so. I was more worried they'd be to dry. I need to find a humidity reader that will fit in my little brinsea. The one I have doesn't fit well. Best suggestions/where to find welcome.

I saw a couple little ones while shopping for mine....but I don't remember where I saw them. I googled hygrometer/thermometer and looked at a bunch before deciding on mine.

 

[DutchChic]

the duck gave up, she left the nest and got back to her normal stuff

I hate when they do that! I discovered a batam hen sitting on a few eggs in the nest box at roost time tonight. I've been leaving 3-4 eggs in one of the nest boxes as bait for a broody, and sure enough, I think I have one. I'm going to watch her for couple of days while I decide which eggs to put under her. I'll make a nice nest in a dog crate and lock her up with the eggs.

 

[Peterh005]

I hate when they do that! I discovered a batam hen sitting on a few eggs in the nest box at roost time tonight. I've been leaving 3-4 eggs in one of the nest boxes as bait for a broody, and sure enough, I think I have one. I'm going to watch her for couple of days while I decide which eggs to put under her. I'll make a nice nest in a dog crate and lock her up with the eggs.

I wouldnt mind but she just left the nest for the evening and now she broody again, her eggs are dead now cuz they were freezing when i checked and now i have to wait for her to lay again:/
Good luck!