Hatching ducks

[Kimmyk80]

I am planning to hatch some duck eggs in my classroom this spring. I have hatched 3 groups of chicks, but have never hatched ducklings. My main question is, can we hatch chicks and ducks together? I was planning to put the duck eggs in 7 days before the chick eggs. Is an auto turner enough for duck eggs?

 

[sunny_bellyboo]

Yes you can hatch them together and I don't know about the turning thing

 

[Jpat]

People have done it lots, The humidity is a bit higher for ducks than chickens but an an average between 40 and 50% worked for me with quail and duck eggs in the same bator
70% for lockdown and hatch

What incubator and turner are you using?
Are you going to brood them too or is someone exeperienced taking them?

i always wished my teachers had of hatched eggs in our classes!

 

[Kimmyk80]

People have done it lots, The humidity is a bit higher for ducks than chickens but an an average between 40 and 50% worked for me with quail and duck eggs in the same bator
70% for lockdown and hatch

What incubator and turner are you using?
Are you going to brood them too or is someone exeperienced taking them?

i always wished my teachers had of hatched eggs in our classes!

I have a hovabator (not sure of the model and I don’t have it in front of me right now) with an auto egg turner that has spots for chicken/duck/turkey eggs, but can be switched out to fit smaller eggs. I am planning to brood them as well. I have read where they integrate well into a chicken flock as long as I keep in mind that they have different care requirements. Any advice on that?

 

[DiYMama540]

The hardest part with brooding ducklings is trying to keep their bedding clean and dry. They make a terrible mess with the little chick waterers.
A good solution is to use a plastic container with a lid, then cut a hole large enough in the lid for their heads to get through and drink, but they can't climb in.

 

[Kimmyk80]

The hardest part with brooding ducklings is trying to keep their bedding clean and dry. They make a terrible mess with the little chick waterers.
A good solution is to use a plastic container with a lid, then cut a hole large enough in the lid for their heads to get through and drink, but they can't climb in.

Good to know!