First time and the suspense is killing me!!

[Sally Sunshine]

Ok, I'm a newby too and I found a new term to add to the terminology forum.... What does "lockdown" mean? Is that where you stop turning them and wait for them to hatch? Is it crucial to stop touching them and candling? Ugh...my little duck eggs were doing so well and now nothing, no change.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/hatching-eggs-101 scroll down to this in the article

CANDLE EGGS
DAY 18 & LOCKDOWN!​

​

 

[Sally Sunshine]

I just did my first incubation...and there was a time I didn't think any would hatch....but I got 22/26. I did have to help 2 after 24hours ( they had pipped externally but after 24 hours had not progressed) I read so much on here about assisting and it is sooooo true, they came out fine. I don't think I left my incubator for more than 10minutes from lockdown. It was so exciting......I had one hatch on day 19 and the last one on day 22. So it can vary a bit. Just listen to the wise ones on here when they say, sit on your hands and don't rush in as you may do more harm than good...

 

[MommaSampson]

I had no change all week! So I pulled it out real quick and candled it and almost the whole egg is dark. So I checked it for holes and then put it in water and it sank to the bottom and stood up. Do you think it's dead?

 

[Allicoop]

What day are you on?

 

[MWoodling]

My ducklings did not make it. Did eggtopsy today and a fully formed duckling was in there but not viable at all. :-( the other two are still in there, guess I'll throw them out. Monday we lockdown 2 more, I'll educate myself more through the weekend. Thanks for the article Sally.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

My ducklings did not make it. Did eggtopsy today and a fully formed duckling was in there but not viable at all. :-( the other two are still in there, guess I'll throw them out. Monday we lockdown 2 more, I'll educate myself more through the weekend. Thanks for the article Sally.

oh no!!!

just ask if you dont "get" something!! You can have a good hatch if you follow a few basic rules....

Y'all can come join in on the diary notes thread anytime and we can all help walk you threw any questions you have for next hatches!! https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...ell-detatched-shipped-eggs/4410#post_10343656 its nice because alot of us check in daily so someone is usually around to give support and general chat too! just stop in and say hello anytime!!

 

[Sally Sunshine]

My ducklings did not make it. Did eggtopsy today and a fully formed duckling was in there but not viable at all. :-( the other two are still in there, guess I'll throw them out. Monday we lockdown 2 more, I'll educate myself more through the weekend. Thanks for the article Sally.

oh and did you take pics of eggtopsy?? it would help us to help you know more about what went wrong.... eggtopsy the same way you would assist so we can see pics of inner membrane and position and such/.

 

[MWoodling]

Ok, I will on one of those other ones tomorrow. I'm certain they won't hatch either.

 

[MommaSampson]

What day are you on?

22

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Ok, I will on one of those other ones tomorrow. I'm certain they won't hatch either.

Candle and tap before float testing and then open just like the assist article