Hatching duckling help please

[frejaarose]

Hi I am hatch my own ducklings. They are due a week on Saturday. I just wondered if someone can run me through what to do if the last 3 days? Like temp humidity and I don't turn them right? I've done lots of research but just found lots of different answers and want to make sure I do it right. I just have a small incubator without a fan if this helps.
Thanks in advance!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hi I am hatch my own ducklings. They are due a week on Saturday. I just wondered if someone can run me through what to do if the last 3 days? Like temp humidity and I don't turn them right? I've done lots of research but just found lots of different answers and want to make sure I do it right. I just have a small incubator without a fan if this helps.
Thanks in advance!

Here's another one @RavynFallen She is one of our experts here on BYC!!

Welcome to BYC @frejaarose

 

[Ravynscroft]

What kind of ducks are you hatching? Still air incubators should be set slightly higher than ones with a fan, 101-102 is a good range... yes, you stop turning 3 days before due date and up the humidity... I aim for 65% but anywhere from 65-70 is great, I tend to stay below 75 though...

Have you candled them? How do the air cells look? If they look too small, misting them once a day will actually help pull more moisture out and help the air cell growth...

 

[frejaarose]

They are black east indian and yes the temperature has been around that give or take so all good. Yes I ve candled them and 3 out of 6 are looking good and moving around inside. I think the air cells look good. I can try and get a picture.
So the day I stop turning is that when I raise the humidity or do I wait till I see signs of hatching before o raise it? Thanks

 

[Ravynscroft]

Sounds good! A pic of air cells would be good if you can, just to make sure...

You can either up humidity when you stop turning or wait til first pip, that's a personal choice... unless air cells are a bit big or a bit small... if they're a bit small, I'd wait til first pip, if a bit big then I'd up it when you stop turning...

 

[frejaarose]

Here is the best picture I can get. I think they are around the right size but obviously you will know better!

 

[Ravynscroft]

What day are they on?

 

[frejaarose]

Day 24

 

[Ravynscroft]

Looks like it's drawing down too... from what I can tell, air cell looks ok...

 

[frejaarose]

Ahh great so when do you think I should up the humidity? And do I do anything with the temperature or does it stay the same? I've read I am meant to lower it slightly but just want to double check what to do! Thanks