Ducklings are hatching

[Katie Rossi]

I have a concern about my 7 egg incubator. I have 3 eggs in there. 2 are externally pipping. I keep reading that they can stay in the incubator for 24 hours, but the bottom has circular indentations... Won't that be bad for footing or even getting caught. First timer here. I'll try to post a picture.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Do you have your brooder all set up and warm? I'll get some experts here to help. I don't do incubators.

@DuckyDonna @WVduckchick @shawluvsbirds @FunnyfarmMidwest

 

[Katie Rossi]

Do you have your brooder all set up and warm? I'll get some experts here to help. I don't do incubators.

@DuckyDonna @WVduckchick @shawluvsbirds @FunnyfarmMidwest

It's set up, I just haven't turned on the heat lamp.

 

[Katie Rossi]

It's set up, I just haven't turned on the heat lamp.

Thanks so much

 

[DuckyDonna]

I never have left my ducklings in the incubator. After they are out of the egg and completely disconnected from the shell I take them out and put them in their nice warm border. I don't even leave them in the incubator for 1 hour after hatching unless I'm sleeping. I always have a mirror in there for the first one. I've never had any problem doing that. They dry in no time and are fluffy and running around soon. I also take the nasty shell out of the incubator too.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'd turn it on so it's all ready and warm, looks like they may get their legs caught in the bottom of your bator. Plus depending on the breed that may not be very much room say if it's Pekin or Rouen ducklings. Especially for 24 hrs.

Yay @DuckyDonna already responded.

 

[DuckyDonna]

I have a concern about my 7 egg incubator. I have 3 eggs in there. 2 are externally pipping. I keep reading that they can stay in the incubator for 24 hours, but the bottom has circular indentations... Won't that be bad for footing or even getting caught. First timer here. I'll try to post a picture.

maybe something you could do is put a piece of that rubber shelf liner stuff on the bottom of the incubator so they can't fall into those holes. I swear sometimes you look at the eggs and think they are hours away from hatch and 5 minutes later you are looking at a little duck!

 

[Katie Rossi]

I never have left my ducklings in the incubator. After they are out of the egg and completely disconnected from the shell I take them out and put them in their nice warm border. I don't even leave them in the incubator for 1 hour after hatching unless I'm sleeping. I always have a mirror in there for the first one. I've never had any problem doing that. They dry in no time and are fluffy and running around soon. I also take the nasty shell out of the incubator too.

I was wondering if that was safe and couldn't find any information on it. I needed to hear that. So, do you think they will be okay with that bottom?

 

[Katie Rossi]

maybe something you could do is put a piece of that rubber shelf liner stuff on the bottom of the incubator so they can't fall into those holes. I swear sometimes you look at the eggs and think they are hours away from hatch and 5 minutes later you are looking at a little duck!

They are cracking really fast now. I have some of the shelving liner, but I would be opening the incubator to do that. Thank you

 

[FunnyfarmMidwest]

Thanks for the tag @Miss Lydia !

I agree with @DuckyDonna . I never leave my ducklings in the incubator long either. I take them out fluff up their feathers a bit with a towel and put them in the brooder. They have always done well.

Since you have your brooder set up, I would do as @Miss Lydia suggested. The bottom does look like they could possibly get their feet stuck, and there doesn’t look to be much space. It would probably be best to remove them once hatched.

Best of luck with your new ducklings!