Duckling hatching - in lockdown

[LucyDuck]

Thank you so much @WVduckchick and @Texas Kiki for all your help and advice!!!

Our 3rd egg that we had high hopes for we think has been picked at by the born ducklings from the outside. The egg is all discoloured around the pecked area? What do you think? Shall we keep up hope?! (Pic below)

Also what would you do with the other 3 eggs? At what point do you admit they're no good (I'm certain that's the case already as no change in air sac and can still see lots of fluid etc in them)? Should I wait til number 3 hopefully hatches and then move the ducklings across to their brooder and candle the remaining eggs one last time? Do you just put them in the bin?? That just seems really wrong

 

[Kiki]

Thank you so much @WVduckchick and @Texas Kiki for all your help and advice!!!

Our 3rd egg that we had high hopes for we think has been picked at by the born ducklings from the outside. The egg is all discoloured around the pecked area? What do you think? Shall we keep up hope?! (Pic below)

Also what would you do with the other 3 eggs? At what point do you admit they're no good (I'm certain that's the case already as no change in air sac and can still see lots of fluid etc in them)? Should I wait til number 3 hopefully hatches and then move the ducklings across to their brooder and candle the remaining eggs one last time? Do you just put them in the bin?? That just seems really wrong

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Can you take the hatched ducklings out and when you do get a look at the egg that's got the discoloring. See if there's movement in the egg.
I wouldn't call it quits for at least 48 hours after the last duckling hatched.

 

[Kiki]

There's no need for the hatched ones to stay in the incubator they've already hatched.

 

[WVduckchick]

Agree with Kiki.
See if the bill of the unhatched one is still close to the pip hole.

 

[LucyDuck]

There's no need for the hatched ones to stay in the incubator they've already hatched.

Do I not need to keep them in there for 24 hours to stay warm? Have got a brinsea brooder for themt in their pen. And is there a risk opening the incubator and affecting humidity and shrink wrapping remaining duckling (or is that all a myth?!)?

 

[WVduckchick]

Do I not need to keep them in there for 24 hours to stay warm? Have got a brinsea brooder for themt in their pen. And is there a risk opening the incubator and affecting humidity and shrink wrapping remaining duckling (or is that all a myth?!)?

As long as you do it quickly, it won’t hurt the others. I usually pull them once they are moving around well.

 

[Kiki]

I wouldn't leave them in there that long. The quicker they start eating food the better.

I open my bator hundreds of times and have not ever had a shrink wrapped bird.

 

[LucyDuck]

@WVduckchick @Texas Kiki
Ok have taken them out. Other egg did move when I candled through the incubator. Can't see beak through hole but egg definitely moving so have left in incubator and will just wait and see what happens

The 2 ducks in brooder are squeaking like crazy and flapping against walls. Not eaten or drunk anything yet. Cuddling up but didn't want to be under brooder (it's at other end so not in pic). Is lots of squeaking ok or does that mean they're distressed? Husband desperate to hold them but I kinda feel we should leave them quietly for a bit?

Thank you!!

 

[LucyDuck]

@LucyDuck

So cute! What breed are yours? Mine are about a day behind yours so I’m expecting ducklings tomorrow

These are abacots. Hope your hatch goes well tomorrow - so exciting! Is it your first time aswell?

 

[Kiki]

What kind of heat source do you have?
I think above you called it a brooder... I'm not sure what that is. Do you have a thermometer you can place under the heat source to double check that it isn't too hot?


You can put uncooked white rice in a sock... Tie it in a knot and microwave it for just a few seconds (about 30 in my microwave) until it's warm ... Not hot and place it in the brooder.