Hatching Question

[kjn821]

Good morning,

I am hatching duck eggs in my classroom. We did this last year with chickens and it was very successful. The chickens are not supposed to hatch till Monday but one of the ducks has already cracked the egg and is making progress getting out. Is it too early or will he be ok? I was going to leave the ducks at school since you aren't supposed to rotate or candle the last 3 days but should I take them out of the incubator and transfer them home over the weekend in case they hatch early? Thanks for your help!

 

[Ridgerunner]

I don't hatch ducks, mainly chickens and an occasional turkey. Before they hatch they absorb the yolk and can live on that for three days or more. That's why they can be mailed. Theoretically they should be fine hatching on Friday and left until Monday. That's less than 72 hours.