Have I Stuffed Up?

[WVduckchick]

Miss Lydia, thank you so much! So I would just type an '@' followed by the person's name? (Actually I just tried that and it seemed to work!)

@Miss Lydia

Yes, that sends an email (if the preferences are set to do so, which mine are), and alot of people may get these tags faster than reading a thread.

 

[Sunnyducks]

Hi wvduckchick
Yes, they are upright in the turner, pointy end down. Thank you so much for the advice and reassurance, I'll do as you suggest and also try not to panic!

@wvduckchick

 

[Sunnyducks]

Hi wvduckchick

Forgot to tag you so I'm reposting, sorry - I'll figure this out eventually

Yes, they are all pointy end down in the turner. I was thinking maybe I should continue to turn the late couple of eggs by hand, though it would mean opening the incubator to do it so maybe that is asking for trouble.

@WVduckchick

 

[WVduckchick]

They will be fine without turning. By the time they are within a week of hatching, turning becomes much less critical. So do which ever you feel comfortable with.

I am a hands-on hatcher and don't hesitate to open the incubator when necessary. But I stress "when necessary". If humidity is a problem, then it should stay closed as much as humanly possible. If humidity doesn't drop much, then its not a big deal. Some will scare you into thinking you will be struck by lightening! Yes, issues can arise when humidity drops, but not as bad as the horror stories you have probably read.

 

[Sunnyducks]

Aah, vwduckchick, you are a very reassuring person, and I thank you! Yes, I have read quite a bit that has sent shivers of terror down my spine but I feel better now! I guess it's learning to walk the line between the two extremes. I will put the incubator into lockdown later today so a happy medium - give them half a day on lower humidity, then up it fully tonight and just hope for the best - I have one grandchild coming here each night to stare at the non-action in the incubator, willing the eggs to hatch and another grandchild in the UK Facetiming me at the opposite end of the day, also willing them to hatch so the responsibility weighs heavily on me! I'll try not to let them see my panic, lol
@WVduckchick

 

[WVduckchick]

Have you ever had a broody hen or duck? After watching 9 broodies this year, and probably close to that many incubator hatches, the worry decreases each time. Kinda like sterilizing everything your first child touches, to finally realizing a little dirt isn't gonna kill them!

Granted, there are things to be done at certain times, and things to watch for, but overall, nature has been doing this alot longer than we have. Its amazing how these animals know what they are doing instinctively!

So enjoy it! And that's awesome about the grandkids watching! I hope they get to see some hatch!

 

[RubyNala97]

Stumbled across this thread and I had 6 very stubborn duck eggs that had extremely small aircells that did not want to grow. I ran 20% humidity up until the first internal pip and then increased humidity. I don't think WV mentioned this but forgive me if she did, you can mist the eggs twice a day with a spray bottle and warm water. This actually helps them loose moisture quicker. That combined with the low humidity overall may be able to make them grow a little before hatch time. I candled my eggs every night looking for that little bill in the aircell and then raised the humidity. And I wouldn't worry so much about the other 2 eggs, running so low on humidity should make up for the difference in the few extra days they will be in lockdown.

 

[WVduckchick]

Stumbled across this thread and I had 6 very stubborn duck eggs that had extremely small aircells that did not want to grow. I ran 20% humidity up until the first internal pip and then increased humidity. I don't think WV mentioned this but forgive me if she did, you can mist the eggs twice a day with a spray bottle and warm water. This actually helps them loose moisture quicker. That combined with the low humidity overall may be able to make them grow a little before hatch time. I candled my eggs every night looking for that little bill in the aircell and then raised the humidity. And I wouldn't worry so much about the other 2 eggs, running so low on humidity should make up for the difference in the few extra days they will be in lockdown.

Great point about misting Ruby! I hadn't thought about it, because I rarely do it. But I agree its a good option.

 

[Sunnyducks]

Thank you so much, RubyNala, I had read about misting, but evidently not very well as I thought that would raise it rather than lower it! I got to the message too late for this incubation, but I'll definitely do this in the future. And thank you again, WVduckchick. I have now got the humidity up to 76%, so it's nice and steamy in there for them; they are all lying down in the correct position I hope so now it's the waiting game!
@RubyNala97
@WVduckchick

 

[RubyNala97]

Thank you so much, RubyNala, I had read about misting, but evidently not very well as I thought that would raise it rather than lower it! I got to the message too late for this incubation, but I'll definitely do this in the future. And thank you again, WVduckchick. I have now got the humidity up to 76%, so it's nice and steamy in there for them; they are all lying down in the correct position I hope so now it's the waiting game!
@RubyNala97

@WVduckchick

Yeah, you would think that misting would have the opposite effect but it helps the air cells grow quicker and dries out eggs with to much moisture. I'm keeping my for your hatch. Even with small air cells I've seen them grow enough during "draw down" (when the air cells form around the chicks right before internal pip) that they were ok for hatch. Update if you have any issues during hatch or just any questions at all. Good luck.