First Time Incubating. *Pics*

[NestingHillsSC]

Pekins only into day 2. Not sure if they will do well. I read here that duck eggs need a higher humidity level. But I have no shortage of eggs. Either from ducks or my chickens. LOL.

The brooder walls are sort of short. Right now there only a foot high. But this is all the wood I had left. They will be ok for awhile before they can jump out. I have a lot of 2' chicken wire I can put around it if need be when time comes.

Going to drill a hole on each side and put a roosting pole in there to give them a place to roost on. Last years chicks loved it when I put one in. There so funny. They was scared to death at first. Then one brave one would jump on it then jump off and just look at. Then jump on. Then all the rest would follow.

Can sit for hours and watch them. And I do. LOL

 

[Colourful]

That would be adorable to watch.

And I look forward to finding out how it turns out, the two species incubated together. I know my mum used to do chooks and goose eggs together, and they seemed to hatch fine.

 

[NestingHillsSC]

Good. then maybe it will work. Just worried about fertility in the duck eggs. The drake seems to like the other girl better. And she hasn't layed in 3 days. I candled them just now. Guess still to early. Only 2nd day. But nothing but yoke . LOL.

 

[Lacey1988]

after a rooster and a hen mate what egg is fertilized the one after mating or the next

 

[NestingHillsSC]

hens can actually store the sperm. So when the eggs are developing in them they can use the sperm. Interesting fact.

 

[Dirty_South_Chickens]

I'm to new at hatching. Just bought this used homemade incubator. Then I built the brooder next to it.


I was trying to show the eggs in here. But mostly got the thermometer. LOL. Set 20 RIR eggs from my hens yesterday. Have 5 Pekin duck eggs on top. Just for the heck of it.


Temp holds very well. I was more concerned about the humidity. Was at 52%. But after some advice on here lowered it by covering the tray with foil. Now at 45%. Somebody sent me this link. You should read it if it is your first time incubating. VERY helpful!! https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/151741/ventilation-is-the-key-not-humidity

I just read some lol of the 800 posts and got me thinking of something I read then tried on my last hatch and it worked out as a good guide for me. It's a way to figure out if your humidity and venting is correct by weight loss of the eggs from evaporation. I think it is worth a try for your next hatch. http://www.browneggblueegg.com/Article/MonitoringEggWeightLoss.html

 

[NestingHillsSC]

I booked marked that page. I heard this. I will have to get a scale for this. "All eggshells are not equal." I guess that's why they say duck eggs need more hunidity. There VERY thick. At least my Pekin eggs are.

 

[Dirty_South_Chickens]

hens can actually store the sperm. So when the eggs are developing in them they can use the sperm. Interesting fact.

Very true! I have had hens store sperm from the previous rooster for up to over 30 days. A bit of shock come hatch day...I waited a month after changing roosters and the last rooster was still rockin it lol.

 

[Colourful]

Lol, don't underestimate a hen. Chickens will always find a way to surprise you. 30 days...

And I know all about the Early Candling Impulse. I'm gonna go ahead and shorten it to ECI. You see all these photos of day 2-4 of developing eggs and you think to yourself, "Hey, if they can do it, mine should be obviously developing too!"

...I was actually seriously worrying about my clutch because I couldn't see anything at day 3... I'm becoming a crazy chicken lady already...

Is there a way for you to mist water over the duck eggs, but not over the chooks?

 

[Dirty_South_Chickens]

I was thinking about checking a few tonight...maybe...