First Hatch Call Ducks

[Beccatrix]

Hi all, I put my first set of White Call and BEI eggs in my NR360 last night. I'd rather have a cabinet, and I know these can be tough.

I set a 28 day cycle with 45-50% humidity. I plan to candle at days 7 and 20, for development and air cells.

I've seen comments for lockdown to start at day 24 or 25, and a lot of mixed comments online on lockdown humidity. Any help would be appreciated, as any comments on when people decide to assist. I have experience with chicks, and have never needed/planned to. It seems more common for bantams to need an air hole? Or do I just let them be?

Hoping to fill one more incubator, and then let them hatch some hopefully. Year old birds that I got from Lou Horton last fall.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Miss Lydia]

@WVduckchick
@Overo Mare both these members have Calls.

 

[WVduckchick]

Calls generally hatch on day 26, so you wanna lock down on 23-24. BEI’s may be a day or so longer, but locking them down at the same time will be fine.

As far as humidity, I would suggest reading this article https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/incubation-humidity.73386/

 

[Beccatrix]

Calls generally hatch on day 26, so you wanna lock down on 23-24. BEI’s may be a day or so longer, but locking them down at the same time will be fine.

As far as humidity, I would suggest reading this article https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/incubation-humidity.73386/

Thank you!

 

[Painted Calls]

Calls generally hatch on day 26, so you wanna lock down on 23-24. BEI’s may be a day or so longer, but locking them down at the same time will be fine.

As far as humidity, I would suggest reading this article https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/incubation-humidity.73386/

Agreed!

 

[Painted Calls]

As far as a safety hole... How close to SQ are they? The BEI I believe should be fine, but I've never worked with those. @FunnyfarmMidwest has some though!

 

[Beccatrix]

As far as a safety hole... How close to SQ are they? The BEI I believe should be fine, but I've never worked with those. @FunnyfarmMidwest has some though!

Hens and drakes are show quality; very round bills.

 

[Painted Calls]

Hens and drakes are show quality; very round bills.

I'd do safety holes after internal pip, then. I'll dig up a thread where I explained how I assist.

 

[Beccatrix]

I'd do safety holes after internal pip, then. I'll dig up a thread where I explained how I assist.

Thank you!!!

 

[Beccatrix]

Day 7! 6 BEI and 16 White Calls went in. We seem to have a solid 66% developing; 2 BEI and 12 Calls; I'm going to check the other 4 BEIs again at Day 12 in case they're behind, although those were mostly laid during a cold snap. The darkest egg was very easy to see development in.

Some of these eggs seem so tiny!