First duck eggs

[Farmergreen]

Looks perfect heart and viens very clear.

 

[1st time pekineers]

your candled egg looks like its a go. but be forwarned, the anxiety has only just begun. we are on day 10 of our second batch of pekins in the bator. first go we started w/ 18 and due to the learning curve we only hatched 5, but they are thriving. the last one has some breathing issues (panting) but otherwise is eating and drinking. we'll let nature run its course the way it is intended. we started our second batch w/ 24 eggs, candled at 7 days and eliminated just 3 (1 dud and 2 blood ringers) but the 21 we have look really good. we're having some humidity issues for some reason this time and the more i read on here i'm thinkin' of just letting it go dry untill "lockdown". we"ve been running in the 60-68% humidity range and i think the air pockets are a little small, my better half says they are fine she has better eyes than i do, but then she doesn't stress over them like i do. i would like to think our lockdown day is 3-24 and any feedback would be welcome. in the meantime good luck, enjoy the experience, and if at all possable get the kids involved, you'll need their small hands and excellent vision when you go to sex your new hatch. no really!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ItsAZOO32]

Do you guys do the "misting" and "cooling" with your eggs like I have read about? After these hatch I would love to get some more duck eggs to try. Where can I get fertile duck eggs of different breeds? I got these Muscovy from a "free-cycle" post and a lady just gave them to me.

 

[tay_boe]

This ismyfirst time incubating duck eggs what is the difference? Is 60ish the correct humidity?

 

[abritton77]

Ive been misting mine with warm water 2 times a day.

 

[1st time pekineers]

we're still learning,but from what i've read the "big boys" do the mist thing twice a week, know real explanation. i did mist once w/ the 110* water but that was more to get my humidity up untill i could "redneck" a better solution. i think you do more harm than good by opening up the bator and loosing the temp. there is a lot of literature out there but real experience from real people is what i trust. Happy Hatchin!!! hope what i've gone through so far has been helpful, and as always, any feedback is always welcome!!!!!!

 

[Farmergreen]

well I usually hatch chickens and let my Ducks set as they want.
Just for the newbees If you have Hens let them do it your % will be mush higher.
So I am speaking from Friends who Incubate for the public.
The misting imitates the eggs getting wet after the hen's time off the nest. Duck eggs don't absorb a lot of water thus Humidity needs to be 60% to 65 % most of the time. Kick it as high as you can if you can hold 70_75 % last 3 days that's good.
From watching mine hatch. I'd mist lightly everytime I turned the eggs. MoM would do it like this. Get off the nest turn the eggs and go for a swim. Mine do that 3-4 times a day.
Hen's lay about 8 -15 eggs and goes to setting. I have a nest for each Hen. They juggle for the nests , my older hen's getting thier pick . There is a very soffistcated ( sorry about the spelling Farmer not a whrite LOL. ) Pecking Order with Ducks. I keep older and Younger Hen's and Drakes Together and they get along fine.
Anyway if you have a place Let them raise them It's so cool to watch.

" Raising Call Ducks "Bantam Mallards"

 

[Farmergreen]

Quote:
IF you want to insure a pretty Bird I would shop around for Pairs or tios of Grown or near grown birds. In most cases if the bird is pure the offspring will look more or less like the parents. You can inbreed most birds for traits and end up in a few generations with really nice birds.

 

[helios]

I'm trying to start a sticky on incubating DUCK eggs...here's my start. https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=462667

The Metzer page that inspired it is really a great summary of what's different about incubating waterfowl eggs (the humidity, how and when to mist if you decide to, etc.). More to come--I hope to make it a one-stop resource for all those frantic newbies like me!

 

[ItsAZOO32]

Well I think my Muscovy eggs my have expired

I misted them yesterday and now the dark heart spot has faded a bit in all three. Is this somehow normal progression for duck eggs?? Did I kill them with one misting? SURELY not, right? I'm at a loss. I was so excited to have ducklings.