New duck mommy 2021
Free Ranging
My mom duck sat 30 days so anything is possibleHi there,
We are on day 30 of trying to hatch 9 runner duck eggs. Yesterday (day 29) I read the assisting hatch article, I gave them all safety holes. I eventually gently opened the air sac of one of them, following all steps. It is moving but still has thick veins to absorb, still making chewing motions, so we placed it back in the incubator. Now this morning, all 9 are still wiggling, peeping, the “open” one is moving less but still moving. Its veins look exactly the same, still thick and bloody, the membrane looks very sunken towards the duckling, almost sticking to it. Maybe that’s normal, I’ve never done this.
But my question is, can they take more than 30 days to hatch? I don’t want to rush anyone. We have done this a few times (but never runner ducks) and it’s always day 28. They have been wiggling for about 4 days now. Should I continue to leave them alone?
Thank you!
Did you calibrate your thermometer?
Often the machines are not correct and it being slightly off can cause delays in hatches
Ducklings can take 48-72 hours to absorb and hatch after internal pip
On the one you opened have you been keeping the membrane moist ?
Vaseline seems to last longer between needing to put it on but coconut oil is better to see the veins
I use both