- Jun 17, 2012
- 1
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Hi Guys,
Well I think I'm just about over the trauma of my first attempt at hatching Call Ducks.
Bought a Brinsea Eco Incubator, and made the brooder so all was ready. Got 6 call Duck Eggs from reputable breeder and set about incubating the eggs for 26-27 days. Temperature set at ideal, humidity I had to go by the instructions as there was no way of telling. And the eggs were faithfully turned 3-4 times a day. On candling 5 eggs were going really well, one not viable so threw that. Then on day 22 one of the eggs pipped!!! we check it and sure enough there was a little beak pushing around right at the tip of the egg. Put the egg back quickly. Day 23 there was lots of cheeping but we left the egg be for another 24 hours. Then I scared as had already read that Call Ducks notorious at difficult hatchers. So made small hole.... Long story short I ended up having to assist as little guy was really stuck. We now have a healthy, cute hilarious little fella (not sexed yet) who has bought us much joy over the last 3 days. The other eggs however all died in the last 3 days. One had actually pipped but nothing. I fear by me having to assist little Tweezer, and only having the one incubator that I compromised the others. when I checked they were fully developed but dead..... how can I avoid this again, apart from buying another incubator to transfer hatchlings should this happen again.
Well I think I'm just about over the trauma of my first attempt at hatching Call Ducks.
Bought a Brinsea Eco Incubator, and made the brooder so all was ready. Got 6 call Duck Eggs from reputable breeder and set about incubating the eggs for 26-27 days. Temperature set at ideal, humidity I had to go by the instructions as there was no way of telling. And the eggs were faithfully turned 3-4 times a day. On candling 5 eggs were going really well, one not viable so threw that. Then on day 22 one of the eggs pipped!!! we check it and sure enough there was a little beak pushing around right at the tip of the egg. Put the egg back quickly. Day 23 there was lots of cheeping but we left the egg be for another 24 hours. Then I scared as had already read that Call Ducks notorious at difficult hatchers. So made small hole.... Long story short I ended up having to assist as little guy was really stuck. We now have a healthy, cute hilarious little fella (not sexed yet) who has bought us much joy over the last 3 days. The other eggs however all died in the last 3 days. One had actually pipped but nothing. I fear by me having to assist little Tweezer, and only having the one incubator that I compromised the others. when I checked they were fully developed but dead..... how can I avoid this again, apart from buying another incubator to transfer hatchlings should this happen again.
