Duck incubating- PLEASE HELP!

[ems_allen]

Hi there,

I work with children and am hatching ducklings for the first time. I would like to slow down the hatching process if possible so that it does not coincide with half term. I have read that if you lower the temperature slightly then this can slow it down by a day or two.

Is this true? And if so what is a safe temperature and humidity to lower it to?

Thank you in advance!

 

[Pyxis]

You should not attempt to lower the temperature to slow hatching. Yes, a lower temperature can cause a late hatch, but it also can cause the ducklings to not develop correctly or to die. Unfortunately if they're set to hatch when the students aren't around, then the students are just going to have to miss it if you want healthy, live ducklings.

 

[ems_allen]

Thank you for your reply! Will keep them nice and warm then! What temperature and humidity would you recommend? Eggs are 6 days old..

 

[Pyxis]

Is your incubator a still air or forced air (has a fan)? If still air, 101.5 degrees measured at the top of the egg. If forced air, 99.5 degrees measured anywhere.

Humidity varies from location to location, so I can't recommend a humidity that will definitely work for you, but I'd say start around 40% or so, see how the air cells develop, and then adjust as needed