First duck hatch lockdown questions

[LisaChick1]

Hi there,
I've been reading through other threads trying to get info and just was looking for a little bit more guidance.... We have 8 pekin duck eggs in the incubator day 27. humidity is around 75% I'm reading to try to raise it to 80% and am wondering how to safely do this during lockdown. I see a little but of droplets on the window at the top and I'm wondering if I need to open another vent or if this is a good thing?
I candled the eggs before lockdown and the pointy side was dark and the large side had a nice sized air sack in each one so I'm assuming that's a good sign....
Anyways, as of this morning I see a tiny hole poking through one of the eggs, I've heard some pipping and I saw some rock a day or so ago! )
However I'm still feeling worried and anxious of what I need to do (cause this is a whole new process for us) and what I need to watch for to ensure the best hatch rate possible and healthy little ducklings.... Is there anything left for me to do other than wait and watch?? I'm really looking for any reassurance and or any guidance or support in what I need to do next or even just some confirmation that were on the right track....
Any info would be so greatly appreciated!!!!
Thank you!!

 

[Lacrystol]

Hi there,
I've been reading through other threads trying to get info and just was looking for a little bit more guidance.... We have 8 pekin duck eggs in the incubator day 27. humidity is around 75% I'm reading to try to raise it to 80% and am wondering how to safely do this during lockdown. I see a little but of droplets on the window at the top and I'm wondering if I need to open another vent or if this is a good thing?
I candled the eggs before lockdown and the pointy side was dark and the large side had a nice sized air sack in each one so I'm assuming that's a good sign....
Anyways, as of this morning I see a tiny hole poking through one of the eggs, I've heard some pipping and I saw some rock a day or so ago!

)
However I'm still feeling worried and anxious of what I need to do (cause this is a whole new process for us) and what I need to watch for to ensure the best hatch rate possible and healthy little ducklings.... Is there anything left for me to do other than wait and watch?? I'm really looking for any reassurance and or any guidance or support in what I need to do next or even just some confirmation that were on the right track....
Any info would be so greatly appreciated!!!!
Thank you!!

I would NOT raise it to 80. I had 10 Call ducks and read the 80% and killed all of them, they can hatch just fine at 60-65. The only reason I would go higher is if you have a sticky issue going on. Other then that there's really no reason to do so. Sounds like you do NOT have a sticky issue.

Unlike chickens ducks take a long time. So patiences is in order.. If they have internally pipped and that is when you can hear them in the shell but can't see anything physically with the shell then you give them the least amount of time of 24 hours to make progress, even 48 hours will be OK.

They have enough air in that shell to hold them for that long.. Once they externally and that's when you can see cracks or bumps on the shell, all's i can say is HANG TIGHT, HERE THEY COME. Once you get one out, it will be like Dominos. COMPETITION IS ON, everyone else will compete to get out.

Your doing great just HANG TIGHT or as they say "WAIT FOR IT, WAIT FOR IT......

 

[LisaChick1]

Thank you so much for the support!!! So I heard lots of internal piping throughout the day and saw rocking, now almost each one has a tiny part of the egg pointing out like they have pecked in one spot at least once, but no opening yet or external piping. Is there any reason or point in time it is absolutely necessary for me to help. I know and would really like to try and have them hatch on their own as naturally as possible and not mess with the process, but I just want to make sure I have some knowledge if and when it is an absolutely necessary to aid them in the process... How long is too long for them to not progress and if that did happen is there anything I can or should do to help?
Thank you again!!!

 

[Lacrystol]

Thank you so much for the support!!! So I heard lots of internal piping throughout the day and saw rocking, now almost each one has a tiny part of the egg pointing out like they have pecked in one spot at least once, but no opening yet or external piping. Is there any reason or point in time it is absolutely necessary for me to help. I know and would really like to try and have them hatch on their own as naturally as possible and not mess with the process, but I just want to make sure I have some knowledge if and when it is an absolutely necessary to aid them in the process... How long is too long for them to not progress and if that did happen is there anything I can or should do to help?
Thank you again!!!

Theres a couple of things, you have to keep an eye for, First if they internally pipped, that's when you can hear them in the shell but the outside of the shell there's nothing, if and when they do that and it's been over 24 hours, then you may want to make them a safe hole, otherwise it is possible for them to run out of air. They only have 20% air in that shell, so they must get to the top and make a crack to let more air in. 20% may not seem like a lot but it is enough to hold them for 24 to 48 hours. I personally don't like to go 48 hours. Maybe 36 but that's about it..

Now the second thing to watch for is external, unlike chickens ducks take there sweet time, chickens can crack open and be out within hours, Not ducks, so you give them same amount of time, if they have externally give them 24 hours to make progress, if they are making progress, just let them go, but if there's no progress and 24 hours have gone by then we may want to give him a little bit of an assistants..

Your hatching PERSONALLY, I would say DON"T worry about nothing. they seem like they are doing a GREAT job and will be out before you know it..

 

[LisaChick1]

So I see a hole/crack mark made on every egg except for 1... And all the eggs that have their hole have made it on the large round side (where the air sack is/should be) except for 1 has made a hole on the pointy side so now I'm worried... Is the duck upside!? Does that mean it will most likely die or is it possible for it to make it? It's made a small hole so far, not just a crack.
Also, for the one that has not made any hole at all, when should I help make one and what's the safest way to do so without possible hurting the duckling?
Sorry for so many questions, I very much so appreciate your help. Thank you!!

 

[Lacrystol]

So I see a hole/crack mark made on every egg except for 1... And all the eggs that have their hole have made it on the large round side (where the air sack is/should be) except for 1 has made a hole on the pointy side so now I'm worried... Is the duck upside!? Does that mean it will most likely die or is it possible for it to make it? It's made a small hole so far, not just a crack.
Also, for the one that has not made any hole at all, when should I help make one and what's the safest way to do so without possible hurting the duckling?
Sorry for so many questions, I very much so appreciate your help. Thank you!!

Sounds like an upside downer, can you show me a pic? he may need help, when did he make the hole? how long has it been?

 

[LisaChick1]

Id say it made the hole last night but don't know exactly when. Is it okay to lift the top off and hold it and take a pic or do I need to try to take pic through the window... It's hard to see

 

[Lacrystol]

Id say it made the hole last night but don't know exactly when. Is it okay to lift the top off and hold it and take a pic or do I need to try to take pic through the window... It's hard to see

Yes you'll be ok. Give him at least 24 hours to make progress. So if you want to wait we can how are the others doing.

 

[LisaChick1]

Progress is slow but I hear pipping and some chipping away at the eggs but holes look almost the same as this morning and similar to last night.
I just noticed another with a hole made more on the pointy end of the egg vs being on the round end. So I have 2 hatching like they are upside down and the others are coming through the correct side. Is there a chance they'll live? I've attached photos below. Hoping for the best

 

[Lacrystol]

OH YEH you definetly have an upside downer. Woooo hooo I love these kinds. Ok give them at least 24 hours let's see if they can escape. By tomorrow will assist. I want to give them that one day to finish up just in case. In the mean time get a spray bottle and spray all the eggs they look like they maybe a little dry.