ducks and chickens... a few questions help please

[oldno7ranch]

sunket77- I have not had any problems hacthing a few ducks with my chicks, my ducks are pekin mallard cross babies, huge eggs, so I do not let them get rolled by the chicks I leave them in the turner and have never had any of the chicks mess with them or contaminate them in any way. My little ones do great this way, so i stick to what works but then again everyone has thier thoughts on things, I have a LG bator and turner, most people don't like them at all, mine does just fine for me on my chicks and my cute little pekin mallard cross babies. So don't worry and do what you think is best for you and your little brood. Good Luck and Happy Hatching!!!

 

[sunket77]

THANKS! man...I am worried since these are my first duck eggs! do they need to misted at lock down? I have no idea what I am doing! lol!

 

[oldno7ranch]

When I lockdown the chicks the ducks will stay in the turner and i will do anything to them untill the chicks hatch and are to be moved. Let the ducks sit till lockdown. After the ducks start to pip, if there is not much happening I will spray them, they seem to get encourgement from it but sometimes I have to do nothing but watch them through the window...lol Keep my info and you can PM me when they get closer I will help best I can....

 

[sunket77]

thanks!

 

[Madcap621]

Quote:
I am facing a similar problem so am going to try to make a DIY hatcher using a free cooler from PetSmart [fish shipper - call them] a lightbulb and a thermostat, as well as an old computer fan. See the "Homemade Incubator thread' [https://www.backyardchickens.com/chicken-coop-incubator.html][/url] .

Disclaimer: I know NOTHING about ducks!! Good luck

What other questions did you have? I will help If I can. If they are about chicks, ask or PM Save the Favs -- she might have missed them. She is a fount of information

 

[sunket77]

Good luck with making an incubator that sounds like a cool project, I am hoping to maybe do in the future! I candled this evening to find that I am down to ONE viable egg

The others looked to be developing but now look just kind foggy-clear no veins or anything... I want to help this last one make it to hatch day... I was trying the dry method but maybe it just isn't working with where we live or something, the air sacks didn't look to large or anything.... what can I do to make sure this egg makes it??

 

[Madcap621]

Quote:

Your best. Try to maintain temp and humidity, Candle again at lockdown and don't beat yourself up! Nature has a way of doing what is best and Human intervention isn't always helpful. Follow the good advice from the folks here who know [ I know NOTHING about ducks!] and learn --- do egg-topsies on the ones who don't make it to check your candling skills and see if there is an obvious problem. Quitters are Nature's culls - we may never know why. Best of luck w/your egg. NEVER give up!