first time incubating ducks

[oskargeorge]

I have incubated chickens before and the last few days, I've had 3 peafowl hatch, one didn't make it. and now my ducks are starting to hatch. actually, the first one is hatching right now but it's been the same for almost 9 hours. humidity is at 70%. I think the duck is stuck to the shell. UGH. Can I put water on it in hopes that it has enough water to break the shell and then help get the shell off after it hatches? worried mama. thanks.

 

[Orca5094]

Can you post a picture of the egg? Ducks take a ridiculously long time to hatch (often up to two days). They hatch in steps, with about 24 hours in between each step. From the time they make their first little initial crack in the shell (external pip), they will usually rest for about a day before continuing to crack the shell around the top and pop out. That part can also take a full day, so you just have to be patient with hatching ducks. They like to take their time.

Now, sometimes problems do arise with the inner membrane drying out and becoming stuck to the duckling's feathers so it's unable to hatch out on it's own, but that is not very common unless your humidity is too low. Your's sounds fine, so just sit on your hands for now and give them some more time. Helping them hatch is often a death sentence, it's extremely risky and usually results in them being hatched out before they were actually ready to hatch. Just a friendly warning not to get too worried and intervene when it's not yet needed. This is where the picture will help us alot to see exactly how it looks and what's going on. Then we can tell you if it's progressing normally or not. Nine hours is nothing in duckling hatching time, so no need to be worried at all yet, ok?

Just wanted to add: Try to take a pic without opening the incubator if possible, you don't want to lose humidity in there while they are hatching.

 

[oskargeorge]

Ok- I panicked when I woke up & helped. Now just hoping it's going to be okay. I had a really bad experience with chickens and had to help them all- humidity got too low. We incubate at a school & were snowed in- for 4 days- we couldn't get in or to the school. I guess it scared me more than I thought.
Thank you for your help. 25 more eggs to go & I promise I will sit on my hands.

 

[oskargeorge]

The duck is doing great!!!!

 

[JadeComputerGal]

The duck is doing great!!!!

Great to hear! Are you going to post a pic?

 

[Orca5094]

That's awesome! ^-^