Ducks about to hatch

[SupermarketDuck]

2 have hatched! My word, they're huge. How ever did they fit in the eggs? We've had to move one to the brooder already which I really didn't want to do but he's giant and was trying to stand up and kept scraping his head along the silly lip of plastic that our incubator has. I really felt he was more at risk forcing himself upright against the lip than moving too soon so he's in the brooder enjoying the space a bit more. Just hope the others are ok for having the lid opened.

 

[Miss Lydia]

If done fast it’s fine. Many seasoned Hatcher on her move their ducklings to the brooder soon after hatch to finish drying. Okay now we need some pictures. It is def amazing how they fit into those eggs.

 

[Miss Lydia]

What about the one who pipped wrong end?

 

[SupermarketDuck]

Attached pictures of them! Hope they work! I’m glad to hear moving them too soon won’t have been the worst thing. It really did seem the only option. Our incubator is entirely unsuitable once they hatch.

Another newbie question if I may! We have a heat lamp on a thermostat. It’s turning off and then back on as needed to keep the temp. Is that ok? Is that what it should be doing and will the ducks mind?

 

[SupermarketDuck]

What about the one who pipped wrong end?

He's still wiggling and cheeping but not pipped any further.

 

[Kingbobkingdom]

Having baby ducks is very exciting! Make sure you are ready to deal with the fact that ducklings are very MESSY!!!! About the temp, I always kept a thermometer in the brooder and turned off or moved the heat lamp if it was too hot. But that's just me, but I began turning off the lamp when the ducklings were older. A good thing about ducks, they grow big quickly, but don't lose their fluff for about 2 months, so they're basically giant babies! Keep an eye on the wrong end pipper

 

[SupermarketDuck]

Having baby ducks is very exciting! Make sure you are ready to deal with the fact that ducklings are very MESSY!!!! About the temp, I always kept a thermometer in the brooder and turned off or moved the heat lamp if it was too hot. But that's just me, but I began turning off the lamp when the ducklings were older. A good thing about ducks, they grow big quickly, but don't lose their fluff for about 2 months, so they're basically giant babies! Keep an eye on the wrong end pipper

Haha I've read about the mess! I'm quite looking forward to getting stuck into the whole experience and the kids will help out.

We have a thermometer in the brooder and it's so far matching the lamp, so it does seem that the lamp turning itself off and on is keeping it steady.

The wrong end pipper - when do I step in and widen that hole for him? I'd rather not but I'm assuming doing it at a time the bator is already open to take the other ducklings out when they hatch would be best?

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

It's huge!! It's taking up most of the spare bedroom so I think it'll be ok. If not, it's one of those sandpits that comes with a lid the same shape, so we can split them between the two if necessary.

One of the ducks has externally pipped, but at the smaller end of the egg and seems to be rolling around a lot but not doing a whole lot more. Is there more of a risk with this one?

When did it extends pip ? When they do this they can still hatch on their own or may need help but the wait time is longer as this counts as both internal and external so baby could take 48-60 hours.

 

[DuckyDonna]

this guide should help you out

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/guide-to-assisted-hatching-for-all-poultry.72886/

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

He's still wiggling and cheeping but not pipped any further.

As long as he is active he is probably absorbing
How long ago did external pip