First time duck Mummy - no idea what I'm doing!

[mccombs]

Hi there,

I'm brand new to this site, and to duck hatching! I've got 5 call ducks in my incubator at the moment, on day 27. I last candled them on day 25 before lock down, all looked good but no internal pip.

I've seen no egg movement at all, do I need to candle them again this evening? What am I looking for?

I'm a bit panicky as I really really want them to hatch.

Any help would be massively appreciated!

 

[Kevin565]

. I don't have incubator experience but I don't think you're supposed to be opening the bator at this stage.

 

[iluvsedward]

Do NOT open the incubator during lockdown!!! You should have stopped turning and raised the humidity, do not open, do not candle, just wait.

 

[mccombs]

I haven't opened it! Humidity is high, is it just a wait and see thing now?

Out of curiosity, what happens if you do open it?

 

[carcar80]

Yes, just wait and see. Opening the bator will drop your humidity, which can dry out your eggs and make it very difficult (or impossible) for them to hatch.

Have fun! Don't stress too much. I hatched seven over the weekend. They were "supposed" to hatch on Friday. Instead one hatched Friday, one Sunday morning.. Three Sunday afternoon.. one at 4:40 Monday morning and one Monday night!! You wanna talk about nerve wracking!! LOL

 

[iluvsedward]

You can shrink wrap them if you open the bator

 

[Nebraskagirl]

Shrink wrap them? What is that? Sorry, I don't mean to hijack the thread, but I too have ducks in the 'bator. When do you want to "lockdown?"

Duck mama, good luck and keep us updated. This place has amazing people who can give great insight and info. Welcome!

 

[iluvsedward]

Shrink wrap them? What is that? Sorry, I don't mean to hijack the thread, but I too have ducks in the 'bator. When do you want to "lockdown?"

Duck mama, good luck and keep us updated. This place has amazing people who can give great insight and info. Welcome!

Shrink-wrapped is when the membrane on the inside of the shell closes around the chick, making it very hard to move. Lockdown is when you stop turning the eggs, raise the humidity, and stop opening the incubator. Lockdown is done 3 days before the hatch date.

 

[Nebraskagirl]

Shrink-wrapped is when the membrane on the inside of the shell closes around the chick, making it very hard to move. Lockdown is when you stop turning the eggs, raise the humidity, and stop opening the incubator. Lockdown is done 3 days before the hatch date.

Awesome! Thanks!