First time incubating Muscovies AND first assisted hatch!

[Tacswa3]

Incubated 5, and its hatch time. I had to assist with the first one and the way its looking probably all 5. Well, Its been 3 hours. It is in the incubator. Moves here and there and then rests/sleeps. Not sure when it will perk up more if its gonna be strong and healthy??

 

[TwoChicksChix]

I wouldn’t assist with any hatching until it’s been a bit from when they start.

Most babies will internal and external pip and then take a break that can last anywhere from a few hours to a whole day.

If you help them you risk exposing the other eggs to less humidity and temperature when you open the incubator and thus causing them to be stuck to the shell and die.

The only time I worry is if they’ve internally pipped and haven’t externally pipped in over 16 hours. Then I simply make a small external hole for them to breath through and let them continue on.

Also about the new baby, it will rest for nearly 24 hours until it is all fluffed up and rested. Then you can expect it to perk up.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Incubated 5, and its hatch time. I had to assist with the first one and the way its looking probably all 5. Well, Its been 3 hours. It is in the incubator. Moves here and there and then rests/sleeps. Not sure when it will perk up more if its gonna be strong and healthy??

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You need to put that little duckling on a soft cloth in a bowl inside the bator it needs to finish absorbing the yolk and it doesn't need to be where it may drag it and open it up. It takes ducklings a long time to hatch so be patient. What makes you think you may need to help them all? please explain. And hatching is very hard work they are exhausted when they finally finish. They don't need to eat till they are fluffed and on their feet usually after24 hrs. They are living on the yolk they absorbed.

 

[Tacswa3]

I got a bit of advice over in the incubating forum. I have 2 eggs that externally pipped and no progress after 3 days. This duckling already broke free from the shell it was dragging but I will heed to your advice (the bowl) on the next one.

 

[Miss Lydia]

How's it's belly looking? in the pic it was still out instead of absorbed? Okay I'll leave ya alone. I just worry someone is getting ahead o the game of hatching especially if your use to chicks popping out fast.

 

[Tacswa3]

How's it's belly looking? in the pic it was still out instead of absorbed? Okay I'll leave ya alone. I just worry someone is getting ahead o the game of hatching especially if your use to chicks popping out fast.

By all means, I can use all the help I can get. I checked on it a bit ago before reading this. Seems a bit more alert but I couldn't see its belly. I'll check again later

What is your opinion on when to assist w/ hatching? Like I said, I had 2 (now 1) with external pips then no progress for nearly 3 days. Lots of chirping and egg rocking going on.

 

[Tacswa3]

Alright you had me curious so I went and checked. Belly seems to be A LOT better where it absorbed!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

I only let my Muscovy female hatch I don’t use an incubator.. if you go to the sticky one first page of the duck forum there is info on hatching Muscovy ducklings.

 

[Tacswa3]

A second one hatched on its own.

 

[Tacswa3]

if you go to the sticky one first page of the duck forum there is info on hatching Muscovy ducklings.

I read it. To much scientific mojo that doesn't happen in the duck world for me to stress over getting every little detail correct.