First Time Incubating Mallard Eggs

[NMinard]

This is my first time incubating eggs. Ever! Started off with 12, down to 8 eggs now. Just the other night had noticed another early egg death. poo poo. 5 more days of turning eggs. I do have a question, I see some people up the humidity and spray just before stopping the turning of the eggs. Today is the 19th day of incubation. Any thoughts advice?? I've raised ducks and ducklings before, but never have hatched them.

 

[njduck]

On day 24 or 25 up the humidity into the 70's

 

[NMinard]

thanks!!

 

[GoingQuackers]

And resist the urge to open the incubator unless absolutely necesssary...if you have to open it, work quickly. This was my biggest beginner's mistake. I still hatched 9 of 13 but 2 had to be assisted because of shrink wrap. Hence the reason for my warning about opening the incubator. Good luck...update us as hatch day approaches, and remember that there are some really nice folks here @ BYC that will try to help you if anything unusual comes up during hatch.

 

[hfchristy]

Mallards are bantams, right? does that change the timetable?
I've been told that the australian spotted eggs I'm incubating are likely to hatch around day 26, and would suspect mallards to be similar. Would that still mean increasing the humidity for lockdown around day 24, or sooner?

christy

 

[GoingQuackers]

I'm not sure if it's because they're bantams, but yes, mallards will hatch at 26 days, give or take. My mallard hatch in March was my first, and I had no clue that they would start hatching that soon. I was caught off-guard & didn't have the brooder ready! I was counting on 28 days. I learned my lesson for future hatches.

 

[NMinard]

Will keep everyone updated! Its very exciting. This coming weekend i think a trip will be made to tsc for the food, have mostly everything else. When they hatch and dry pics will be posted!!

 

[NMinard]

Down to 8 eggs, but now they wiggling and heard a few peeps from their eggs! Very exciting that they are going to hatch this coming weekend!

 

[njduck]

all of my non muscovy ducks hatch between day 25 and day 26

 

[GoingQuackers]

Yay! Sounds like you're ready!