Hatching Mallard Eggs

[deserthotwings]

I just set 30 wild mallard eggs in a Brinsea Polyhatch bator yesterday. The temp is holding good at 99.5 but I can't get the humidity past 55. From what I've read it should be around 60 during the inital setting. I have both water reservors full and a pan of water on the egg tray and it still won't go any higher. I think its due to the fact that there is real low humidity in the air here. The bator has 4 vent holes in the top. I have all four of them pluged and still can only maintain about 54 humidity. I'm not sure if it is better to drop the humidity even lower to open one of the holes for ventilation or to leave them all shut and maintain as much humidity as I can. I will probably have a real problem during hatch time if I can't get the humidity up. This is my first experience with duck eggs so any help will be much appreciated. Thanks Ya'll

 

[FireTigeris]

Wild mallard eggs - like federally protected mallard eggs?!?!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Migratory_Bird_Treaty_Act_of_1918

, 21.27, Special Purpose Permits.[8]
The permit applicant is generally a contractor who specializes in wildlife relocation. When hiring a contractor to trap and relocate any animal from one's property, the private property owner is well advised to attain proof of such permits before any trapping activity begins, as trapping without the necessary paperwork is common in the United States.
Most wildlife management professionals consider relocation actions undue harm to the birds, particularly since relocated birds (being migratory) often return to the same property the next year. In the case of trapping and relocation, harm is brought on by or can result in:

• Breaking, a term describing increased susceptibility to disease brought on by the stress of capture and relocation
• Difficulty in establishing territory at the new location
• Separation of family members and the stunting of juveniles' natural progression into adulthood

MALLARD, Anas platyrhynchos = protected, game bird - http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/RegulationsPolicies/mbta/mbtandx.html

Alphabetical listing. Species are listed alphabetically by common (English) group names, with the scientific name of each species following the common name. It is possible that alphabetical listing by common group names may create confusion in those few instances in which the common (English) name of a species has changed. The species formerly known as the Falcated Teal, for example, is now known as the Falcated Duck. To prevent confusion, the alphabetical list has two entries for Falcated Duck: “DUCK, Falcated” and “[TEAL, Falcated (see DUCK, Falcated)].” Other potential ambiguities are treated in the same way.

 

[deserthotwings]

Ya, like WILD mallards, the type what flys, comprende ?

 

[FireTigeris]

There are domestic flighted mallards, I was pointing out that the federal government gives out stiff fines for things like that.

They can do it if you can't prove the mallards are domestic stock source. (having a 'bill' of sale would suffice)

I've raised domestic-flighted mallards and never did I or anyone else call then 'wild' we called them 'flighted mallards' now I can't even do that because of some ... congress people ...changing the laws around here.

Domestic Mallards (meat mallards), wild Mallards (federally protected), flighted mallards (hunting mallards), non releasable mallards (human imprint, injured, mix stock mallards), and any other pure mallard- all incubate the same so I was pointing out that maybe you want to edit your post...

or not, whatever.

Besides you answered 'yes' to federally protected - which is a bad idea too.



So anyway if you are using rubber plugs you can switch one of the rubber plugs for a sponge or cork plug then you can saturate the cork or sponge to raise humidity and allow air-flow.

When you are not available to keep the cor or sponge wet replace the rubber plug.

 

[DUCKGIRL89]

Where did you get these eggs? Did you get them from a hatchery?

 

[FireTigeris]

Quote:
http://www.sialis.org/mbta.htm


Quote:
I was just trying to save heartache - but not being treat well...

that's a lot of dough for some ducks-

Also nest stealing and human hatched and released to wild are the reasons that in this area of FL all mallard derivative ducks excluding non-flighted pekin are prohibited except for wildlife rehab license or educator permit.

 

[deserthotwings]

Despite all the legal advise that I have received (of which I am grateful) I still have not had any constructive advise with my problem. Oh, by the way, you may want to familiarize yourself with The Dept. Of The Interior, U.S Fish and Widlife Service Form 3-186 and review Title 50 parts 10, 13 and 21.25 of The Code of Federal Regulations. Basicly stating that completion of the form and a yearly fee of $75.00 will entitle you to posses, buy and sell Federal Migratory fowl. The keeping of such fowl does not require a permit as long as the bird is identified with a seemless leg band or the removal of the birds rear toe. I have all permits required, just simply trying to get a little hatching info. Thanks FireTigeris, I'll try the sponge in the vent holes.

 

[Oregon Blues]

Just another suggestion. In future, you could save everyone a lot of trouble if you state right off the bat that you have a permit.

 

[Mike Winters]

they should be fine just have a harder time getting out of the egg if the humidity is a little low because the egg yolk will dry up on them faster. the US government are like nazis when it comes to federal regulations. that's why there giving you a hard time. they don't want ya getting in trouble. even though i don't understand is is the INTERNET not america. we can do and say what ever we want

 

[deserthotwings]

Thanks Mike, too many want to be lawyers and not enough constructive help.