Hands on hatching and help

[ronott1]

She didn't make it. was starting to move around a little, but never started eating or drinking. The 4 are doing super now. Will go to their new home later this evening.

Sounds like failure to thrive. It is sad but happens with hatching.

You do have 4 nice ones though!

 

[TashaP89]

I need help! My duck is on her 2nd batch of eggs (the first batch I think I took too long to get in an incubator and have all died) it is getting really cold outside especially at night and she is laying them under a tarp we have over our hay bail... so I'm wondering if I should bring the eggs in the house each day after she's laid a new one? Also I bought a forced air incubator it's basically just styrofoam but I don't feel like it's getting as hot as the thermometer is saying it is. They are eggs from an Indian Runner she's been mating with a Mallard so I'm not sure if they are even going to be fertile. Please please help!

 

[ronott1]

I need help! My duck is on her 2nd batch of eggs (the first batch I think I took too long to get in an incubator and have all died) it is getting really cold outside especially at night and she is laying them under a tarp we have over our hay bail... so I'm wondering if I should bring the eggs in the house each day after she's laid a new one? Also I bought a forced air incubator it's basically just styrofoam but I don't feel like it's getting as hot as the thermometer is saying it is. They are eggs from an Indian Runner she's been mating with a Mallard so I'm not sure if they are even going to be fertile. Please please help!

Leave the egg alone. She will keep them warm enough.

 

[Pyxis]

I need help! My duck is on her 2nd batch of eggs (the first batch I think I took too long to get in an incubator and have all died) it is getting really cold outside especially at night and she is laying them under a tarp we have over our hay bail... so I'm wondering if I should bring the eggs in the house each day after she's laid a new one? Also I bought a forced air incubator it's basically just styrofoam but I don't feel like it's getting as hot as the thermometer is saying it is. They are eggs from an Indian Runner she's been mating with a Mallard so I'm not sure if they are even going to be fertile. Please please help!

I'm confused, it doesn't sound like she's broody but rather she is laying eggs every day and you are wondering whether you should bring the eggs in after she lays them because you are planning on incubating them, is that correct?

If that is indeed the case, then yes, bring the eggs in daily. After you have collected ten day's worth, put them in your incubator. I say ten days because after ten days old eggs start to lose viability, so it is best to start incubating them before that happens.

Mallards and Indian Runners are both the same species, so there should be no problems with the eggs being fertile.

On the incubator front, it sounds like you need to calibrate your thermometer to make sure it's correct. My favorite type of thermometer for this purpose is the probe type digital ones they make for reptiles, like this: https://smile.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Di...s=digital+thermometer+with+probe+for+reptiles

They generally tend to be pretty accurate and are very easily calibrated. To calibrate it, fill a glass half with water and half with ice. Let it sit for a few minutes, and then put the thermometer probe into it. The thermometer should read 32 degrees F. If it doesn't, then you know it's off and can calculate how many degrees off it is. For example, if it says 34 instead of 32, you would know it reads 2 degrees high. So you can use that knowledge to make sure your incubator temp is correct when using that thermometer. In this example, you'd want the thermometer to say 101.5 F when measuring the temp of your incubator, because since it reads two degrees high, you'd know the actual temperature in the incubator was 99.5 F. Does that make sense?

 

[TashaP89]

I'm confused, it doesn't sound like she's broody but rather she is laying eggs every day and you are wondering whether you should bring the eggs in after she lays them because you are planning on incubating them, is that correct?

If that is indeed the case, then yes, bring the eggs in daily. After you have collected ten day's worth, put them in your incubator. I say ten days because after ten days old eggs start to lose viability, so it is best to start incubating them before that happens.

Mallards and Indian Runners are both the same species, so there should be no problems with the eggs being fertile.

On the incubator front, it sounds like you need to calibrate your thermometer to make sure it's correct. My favorite type of thermometer for this purpose is the probe type digital ones they make for reptiles, like this: https://smile.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Di...s=digital+thermometer+with+probe+for+reptiles

They generally tend to be pretty accurate and are very easily calibrated. To calibrate it, fill a glass half with water and half with ice. Let it sit for a few minutes, and then put the thermometer probe into it. The thermometer should read 32 degrees F. If it doesn't, then you know it's off and can calculate how many degrees off it is. For example, if it says 34 instead of 32, you would know it reads 2 degrees high. So you can use that knowledge to make sure your incubator temp is correct when using that thermometer. In this example, you'd want the thermometer to say 101.5 F when measuring the temp of your incubator, because since it reads two degrees high, you'd know the actual temperature in the incubator was 99.5 F. Does that make sense?

Yes you are correct. The last batch of eggs, she just scattered around the in their pool. I tried gathering them and putting them in her house but every morning they had been pushed out. This time she is laying them in one spot outside her house and doesn't pay any attention to them (also read Indian Runners aren't the greatest brooders) so I figured I'd try to hatch a couple.

And yes I will definitely try calibrating my thermometer. thank you for the advice!

 

[ronott1]

Yes you are correct. The last batch of eggs, she just scattered around the in their pool. I tried gathering them and putting them in her house but every morning they had been pushed out. This time she is laying them in one spot outside her house and doesn't pay any attention to them (also read Indian Runners aren't the greatest brooders) so I figured I'd try to hatch a couple.

And yes I will definitely try calibrating my thermometer. thank you for the advice!

Then you need to:
Collect them several times a day
set them in an egg carton tilted on the back--use a book or something
twist the eggs 1\3 in one direction several times a day
Collect for 5 or 6 days up to two weeks( hatch rate goes down with age)

Then


In your incubator!

 

[AmyLynn2374]

How has everyone been? I had a message I had to answer so I figured I’d drop in since I haven’t been here in forever! Is everyone ready for the holidays? Getting cold up here. Not looking forward to winter, but can’t wait for Christmas!

 

[ronott1]

How has everyone been? I had a message I had to answer so I figured I’d drop in since I haven’t been here in forever! Is everyone ready for the holidays? Getting cold up here. Not looking forward to winter, but can’t wait for Christmas!

Back!

I baked bread today to use in stuffing! I get to host this year for Thanks Giving

 

[AmyLynn2374]

View attachment 1190384
Back!

I baked bread today to use in stuffing! I get to host this year for Thanks Giving

Thanks! I guess I’m doing a traditional thanksgiving this year too! I went on strike about 5 years ago...lol
Weather permitting my sister and her man, my niece and her bf and daughter are coming. I don’t like fresh turkey, but oh well...lol

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Have a safe and fun day tomorrow!