Hi there! This is my first time incubating duck eggs and I have been doing all the research I can to ensure a good hatch. I’ve always heard that duck eggs are far more difficult than chicken eggs, and I really want to do my best to bring these babies into the world!
So, with that said, I read a bunch of articles on ideal settings and techniques, etc. etc. and my babies are looking strong and healthy and I’m happy with everything so far EXCEPT I hadn’t been monitoring the air cells! I think they look a little behind, which is an indication of the humidity having been too high (I kept mine as close to 55% as possible, but I know it fluctuated a little - 47%-58%).
I’m on day 22 and I’ve read that humidity requirements can really very from egg to egg, etc. and you’re looking for a 14% weight loss ideally. He provided a great visual and that’s why I think my eggs haven’t quite lost enough weight.
If you’re still reading this (thank you!) my plan is to let the humidity drop to 45% or so until lock down, candling each day to check progress on the air cell. I’ve read several stories lately of ducklings, or chicks, making it to lock down and then dying in the egg. It seems this points to the air cell being too small and the duckling not being able to twist and unzip, and they “drown” in the egg. This would be my worst nightmare!
Here’s a picture of one of my Ancona eggs tonight (day 22) and the graphic that was provided with the article I read.
I would love to hear your thoughts and get advice regarding air sack size and how it relates to a good hatch, and if I’m on the right track for achieving that.
So, with that said, I read a bunch of articles on ideal settings and techniques, etc. etc. and my babies are looking strong and healthy and I’m happy with everything so far EXCEPT I hadn’t been monitoring the air cells! I think they look a little behind, which is an indication of the humidity having been too high (I kept mine as close to 55% as possible, but I know it fluctuated a little - 47%-58%).
I’m on day 22 and I’ve read that humidity requirements can really very from egg to egg, etc. and you’re looking for a 14% weight loss ideally. He provided a great visual and that’s why I think my eggs haven’t quite lost enough weight.
If you’re still reading this (thank you!) my plan is to let the humidity drop to 45% or so until lock down, candling each day to check progress on the air cell. I’ve read several stories lately of ducklings, or chicks, making it to lock down and then dying in the egg. It seems this points to the air cell being too small and the duckling not being able to twist and unzip, and they “drown” in the egg. This would be my worst nightmare!
Here’s a picture of one of my Ancona eggs tonight (day 22) and the graphic that was provided with the article I read.
I would love to hear your thoughts and get advice regarding air sack size and how it relates to a good hatch, and if I’m on the right track for achieving that.
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but was fully formed and beautiful! My guess is that s/he grew too large to hatch. I wish I had stepped in earlier, as I knew to keep an eye on it. 
