Have I Stuffed Up?

[WVduckchick]

Thanks for the update! I'm anxious for this hatch too, and hope they do well for you!

We were just saying on another thread that baby ducklings have got to be the cutest things ever! So I hope you are ready for them to melt your heart!

And speaking of nice and steamy, its great to keep the humidity up, but you do not want any condensation to form. That's when you know its too high.

Gooooood luck!

 

[Sunnyducks]

Thanks for the update! I'm anxious for this hatch too, and hope they do well for you!

We were just saying on another thread that baby ducklings have got to be the cutest things ever! So I hope you are ready for them to melt your heart!

And speaking of nice and steamy, its great to keep the humidity up, but you do not want any condensation to form. That's when you know its too high.

Gooooood luck!

Oh my, if these little babies hatch, it will be a miracle - when I got up this morning the humidity was on 74 and there was condensation! Quite a bit, actually, but the room was really quite chilly, small unheated room and it was pretty cold overnight, so the room would have been too. I was worried it still wasn't humid enough, so I didn't do anything about it until I just got this message. I've emptied one of the water channels and dried the condensation and it's settling a bit lower now, around 69/70. I hope that will be ok, I am so worried that my ignorance has caused them all to die
@WVduckchick

 

[Sunnyducks]

Thank you, @RubyNala97

 

[Sunnyducks]

I am sorry this is such a dreadful photo, but it's taken through the wall of the incubator so it's a bit distorted and dark. Please, can someone kindly look at the main egg (in the centre) - if you look quite near the top of the egg you will see a white spot. It's actually raised, it's not a mark on the shell, it's about the size of a pin head and almost a pinhead in height off the surface of the shell. It definitely wasn't there three hours ago. Could it be a pip? My reservations are - is it a bit too close to the top of the shell? I don't know what the first sign of a pip might be, so I'm trying not to get too excited! (Not working!) We are late on day 27. @WVduckchick @RubyNala97

 

[WVduckchick]

that's a pip! And that's the fat end, right? Considering your air cells were a bit smaller, I would expect them to be a bit higher. But its ok!! Its a pip!

And the condensation wont kill them. You just dont want it quite that wet.

Here we go!!!

 

[Sunnyducks]

Oh my goodness, oh my goodness! And this was an egg I'd thought had deceased! Oh my goodness, I'll never sleep now! Thank you so much @WVduckchick

 

[WVduckchick]

Oh my goodness, oh my goodness! And this was an egg I'd thought had deceased! Oh my goodness, I'll never sleep now! Thank you so much @WVduckchick

You still are in for a long wait (possibly.... Well, likely) so get some rest now while you still can

(I locked down a bunch of chicken eggs yesterday, I expect some to start pipping tonight!)

Oh I also keep a written list to record pip and hatch times. Keeping track of pip times helps in case they appear to need assistance.

 

[Sunnyducks]

Thank you for the advice @WVduckchick Yes, I should just go to bed - know I have to be patient. Ha! I'll follow your great advice about keeping a record of pips and hatches. Goodness me, it's all about the pips today, isn't it! All the best with yours!

 

[RubyNala97]

Oh my, if these little babies hatch, it will be a miracle - when I got up this morning the humidity was on 74 and there was condensation! Quite a bit, actually, but the room was really quite chilly, small unheated room and it was pretty cold overnight, so the room would have been too. I was worried it still wasn't humid enough, so I didn't do anything about it until I just got this message. I've emptied one of the water channels and dried the condensation and it's settling a bit lower now, around 69/70. I hope that will be ok, I am so worried that my ignorance has caused them all to die @WVduckchick

70% is actually fine. As they start hatching the humidity will rise also. Just keep an eye on how fast your water evaporates. And you can add more if you need to. Since ducks can take a long time to hatch it might be 4 days of hatching going on!

I am sorry this is such a dreadful photo, but it's taken through the wall of the incubator so it's a bit distorted and dark. Please, can someone kindly look at the main egg (in the centre) - if you look quite near the top of the egg you will see a white spot. It's actually raised, it's not a mark on the shell, it's about the size of a pin head and almost a pinhead in height off the surface of the shell. It definitely wasn't there three hours ago. Could it be a pip? My reservations are - is it a bit too close to the top of the shell? I don't know what the first sign of a pip might be, so I'm trying not to get too excited! (Not working!) We are late on day 27. @WVduckchick @RubyNala97

Congratulations on your first pip!!!!

You still are in for a long wait (possibly.... Well, likely) so get some rest now while you still can (I locked down a bunch of chicken eggs yesterday, I expect some to start pipping tonight!) Oh I also keep a written list to record pip and hatch times. Keeping track of pip times helps in case they appear to need assistance.

I totally agree with writing down the pip times for each egg. Glad I'm not the only one that records everything at hatch time! Can't wait to see pics from your hatch!! Good luck!

 

[Sunnyducks]

Oh wow - FOUR days! Crumbs! No sleep at all for me then! 2.5 hours since I spotted the pip and I must have checked at least every 10 mins since then! (You think I jest??) Haha! Thank you for your reassuring presence! @RubyNala97