First time hatching Pekins/1 egg is smaller than the rest?

[strangytie]

This is currently my first time hatching ducks, I hatched chickens before a few times. We ordered Pekin eggs online and are incubating ten at the moment. I noticed a while back in of our eggs is much smaller than the others, almost like a chicken egg. I tried to candle it and see what's happening, but it looks like it's in its last stages of development since most of the egg can't be seen anymore. Is this egg just naturally small or is it a different breed? I am also unsure about determining an egg's age with candling as I'm very new to it. Please help!

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

This is currently my first time hatching ducks, I hatched chickens before a few times. We ordered Pekin eggs online and are incubating ten at the moment. I noticed a while back in of our eggs is much smaller than the others, almost like a chicken egg. I tried to candle it and see what's happening, but it looks like it's in its last stages of development since most of the egg can't be seen anymore. Is this egg just naturally small or is it a different breed? I am also unsure about determining an egg's age with candling as I'm very new to it. Please help!

Hi and

! I know exciting your first hatch is...well, they're all exciting, actually.

At this point, I wouldn't worry too much about it being a different breed, unless it's a markedly different color. Duck eggs vary in size in shape, just like chicken eggs, and a smallish egg could either be a new layer or just a duck that lays a small egg. I've had ducklings hatch successfully from small eggs, and while it seems to be easier for them to hatch from larger eggs, it can be done (but I'd monitor it at hatch in case you need to intervene - ducklings in small eggs can be malpositioned).

As far as a development chart, you may find this thread helpful: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/304863/duck-egg-candling-photo-diary. Another helpful chart from Metzer Farms: http://www.metzerfarms.com/Candling.cfm. The rate of development may also vary depending on the temperature in your incubator (a little too high and they may develop faster, too low and they may develop more slowly).

Best wishes for a great hatch!