DUCKS ARE STARTING TO PIP ABOUT 2 DAYS EARLY. SHOULD I LOCK DOWN? HELP PLEASE!

[ChickenCanoe]

Thank you! I am new and I just don't want to kill a healthy bird due to ignorance.

It is an ongoing learning experience. We are all still learning.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

A lot of my ducks are beginning to peck and roll around. No external hole or internal hole yet that I can see but the eggs are rolling and the ducks are pecking. Should I put my incubator in to lock down today instead of tomorrow at 4pm? They started pecking last night. I can also see most of their little peckers in the air cell and they are breathing. It isn't shadowing. One you can see its whole head in the air cell. That little quacker is going to hatch first I think. There is pipping going on but they haven't actually broken the in or outside of the shell.

Also, some I put on their sides and some I left in the carton. Any advice? I did this due to the air cells. Should I put them all on their side or just use my best judgement?

DO YOU OPEN YOUR AIR VENT AT LOCKDOWN OR WHEN YOU SEE AN EXTERNAL PIP?

Depending on the brand and model of incubator, the vents should have been open since the end of the first week. When all else fails, read the directions. Normally the eggs do better with a little more carbon dioxide the first week but they still need oxygen. After the first week, they start needing more oxygen.

 

[Ongiegirl36]

Depending on the brand and model of incubator, the vents should have been open since the end of the first week. When all else fails, read the directions. Normally the eggs do better with a little more carbon dioxide the first week but they still need oxygen. After the first week, they start needing more oxygen.

I have a forced air incubator. It draws air in. The vent is just a tiny little hole to let the moisture out I believe. I have a Janoel24 Incubator with auto egg turner. I opened the vent all of the way right after I read your response.

thank you

 

[Ongiegirl36]

lay them down in case they pip lower.

I took your advice. Thank you!

 

[Ongiegirl36]

Yes lock down now! Being early is usually a sign of slightly higher temps, but not too high as to hurt them, so they should be fine.

If you see bills in the air cell, then they have internally pipped and need to stop turning and need humidity increased.

Lay them all on their side, placing the lowest side of the dip in the air cell upward. Like this:
View attachment 3065436

Good luck! Keep us posted please.

Thank you! Unfortunately they have all wiggled all over and i have no idea if they are up or down. Should I just leave them alone or fix them?

 

[Ongiegirl36]

go ahead and lockdown, it wont hurt anything. When you say pecking, what do you mean? Tapping sounds or shadowing?
If tapping sounds, they've internally pipped.

Personally I would lie them down unless the air cells are actually loose/displaced, which they aren't are they?
So it's your choice. Lying down may make it a little easier for the ducklings to actually get out- but because of the odd air cell situation, I'd wait for someone else's opinion. @WVduckchick

Remember, ducklings take a long time, and even once hatch starts it could be two days or potentially more until they're out. So be patient!
Good luck with your hatch !!

A lot of them are a hot mess. But the ducks seem to be ok so far. At least most of them. Not all have internally pipped and some aren't trying. They are all moving in the egg as of 4 hours ago. We shall see. I am praying all goes well since I did lay them all on their sides.

they are tapping and you can hear it. I heard chirping in one duck egg, so I immediately put the lid on this morning. My humidity was already high, we are all good there.

 

[Lor]

I'm excited for you!
I hope they all hatch well. Please take pictures when they do!

 

[Ongiegirl36]

I'm excited for you!
I hope they all hatch well. Please take pictures when they do!

Thank you! Pray for a safe hatch this Easter weekend! I will take plenty of pictures to share with everyone. I pray that all 11 hatch. They are Khaki Campbells. I am like I little kid! So excited lol.

 

[Ongiegirl36]

It is an ongoing learning experience. We are all still learning.

True! Everyone is so encouraging! I love this hobby by far the most. I have met so many nice god-fearing people. Who knew poultry and Jesus were so popular together? lol

 

[Lor]

Thank you! Pray for a safe hatch this Easter weekend! I will take plenty of pictures to share with everyone. I pray that all 11 hatch. They are Khaki Campbells. I am like I little kid! So excited lol.

I love the Khaki Campbells. Little chocolate ducklings.