first time help!

[tigger94]

I have a clutch of 10 mallard eggs that are starting to hatch... These are from an accidentally destroyed nest. We didn't know when they were due or anything. Was gone for 2 days and late last night saw that one egg had little crack in it and I heard some chirping. Now there is 5 or 6 that are like that. They are in a foam incubator. I have both trays filled with water. I've raised ducklings before just never hatched them.
Frankly I have no clue what to do. I have box ready to put them in. I know not to turn them any more, but could someone please give me a timeline of what I need to watch for or when to help if nothing progresses. It is just a little dimple like crack in these.

 

[kandyg_99]

Sounds like they are hatching.Keep the humidity raised and wait...DO NOT OPEN THE INCUBATOR....

 

[sumi]

Have a look at these threads. It'll tell you what to do, or not!

Incubating & Hatching Eggs Important Topic Index - Please Review

 

[tigger94]

About how long of a time frame am I looking at? I saw something that said they can take up to 24 hours after pipping(what I think it is) before they hatch all the way...

 

[tigger94]

You said not to open the incubator, but should I lady them flat now instead of having the big end a little higher than small end? They are setting in an auto turner, but it is not on, just using for a rack

 

[sumi]

I've never used a turner before. So I don't know about that. Don't open the incubator unless you have to. It won't be a disaster if you do, but it may mess around your humidity.
Timeframe is up to 24 hours after the chick broke through the egg shell (pipped). But they usually finish way sooner. Mine covered everything between 30mins and 12 hours.

 

[tigger94]

Thank you everyone for your help! The first one is out of the shell and another is right behind it about out! I am going to recommend taking a turner out...the one can't move around much... As soon as I have another set of hands or two we're gonna take it out and just set them on the little grate

 

[tigger94]

back again...is it normal for them to peck at each other?? I have 2 that are doing this and making quite a ruckus doing it

 

[GardeningGrl]

They're probably just being curious...